The Hutto ISD board of trustees approved a $50,000 expenditure at its meeting June 14 to bring a districtwide health clinic to Hutto High School.
Lone Star Circle of Care has agreed to staff and run the clinic if Hutto ISD will modify the high school building to accommodate the needed space. Estimates to move the existing nurse station at HHS to the front of the building and direct water lines into the clinic will cost about $15,000, according to district documents. Using the school's existing clinic without moving it would be even cheaper. Plans for access into the clinic include building a door that goes only into the clinic to keep parents and other adults from entering the school.
"We are excited that a planning and development process aimed at bringing care directly to our students and staff is almost completed," HISD Superintendent Doug Killian said. "You see banks and credit unions operating in schools. What an awesome opportunity for our kids and staff to have first-rate medical care right at their fingertips."
The clinic is expected to be open for the 2013–14 school year and will see students and staff. Future plans could include keeping the facility open late weekdays and on weekends. The clinic will accept all medical insurance, as well as CHIP and Medicaid plans, and all students can visit the clinic. However, students younger than age 14 will need to be accompanied by a parent.
The board also discussed and decided not to offer birth control through the clinic. It will, however, offer testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.