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Fort Frye Local Schools, with the help of plenty of community partners, is proving once again that is will rise to the occasion when its students and families need more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.
Board members have approved allowing Superintendent Stephanie Starcher and Treasurer Kaitlin Huck begin seeking bids for a new school-based health clinic. Appalachian Children's Coalition, the Marietta Community Foundation, Sisters Foundation and Washington County Commission have all offered money and support; and Coplin Health Systems will operate the clinic with the help of funding from the Ohio Department of Health.
Starcher said the district recognized the need for a school-based health system available to students and the public, which could be built in a renovated classroom on campus. They also recognize the need to open such a facility as safely as possible, and are planning for security systems to be in place for the sake of students and those attending the clinic.
While Fort Frye takes action, public officials must be reminded that this is just one example of the significant need for rural healthcare access in Ohio.
According to the Appalachian Children's Coalition, fewer than 10% of the country's physicians serve rural areas; but rural Buckeye State residents experience higher rates of chronic diseases that require exactly the kind of monitoring and care that can be provided at community clinics.
Nationwide Children's Hospital calls school-based health centers "a crucial way of helping students and their families become healthier."
"I think it's a good project for us to support," said Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling.
Indeed, it is. Kudos to those who are getting the ball rolling. Now let us hope the support is sustained.