Budget Jeopardizes Student Health

In Frederick County,Maryland,school health rooms are staffed by health technicians,and these are supervised by registered nurses.Today,when an RN leaves her position,she is not being replaced for budgetary reasons.That means the RN's job must be done by the remaining nurses.RNs have gone from supervising two schools each to supervising three to four schools.As well,five schools lack a full-time health technician.When an HT isn't there,a school administrator mans the health room,rather than someone trained in the health culture.Such is the situation in this economic downturn as described by Dr.Barbara Brookmyer,Chief Public Health Officer,as she addressed a recent Board of Education meeting.She pointed out how serious this was for diabetic children,who need ongoing help with medication,glucose monitoring and so on.
BOE member Daryl F. Boffman said he was appalled that society has come to this point.Board President Kathryn B. Groth noted that some schools aren't close to an ambulance,so it could take some time for a professional emergency response.Dr.Brookmyer,who was supported by several of the school health staff who also attended the meeting,pleaded for the BOE to raise the issue with the County Commissioners,who control the purse strings.It was a scene undoubtedly being played out across the cash-strapped country,if not the developed world.

Alcoa Courts Alcan

In the world of mining and minerals,consolidation is king.That is why Alcoa(AA) is courting its Canadian rival Alcan.It would be the second-largest deal ever in the sector.Alcoa is offering 73.25 a share,plus stock.The total value of the deal is thirty-three billion in cash,stock and debt.According to Alcoa,the transaction would result in one billion in savings.Alcoa recently closed a plant in Frederick County,Maryland because of its inability to find cheap electricity.To satisfy Canadian regulators,the company would maintain headquarters in both New York and Montreal.