PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Several parents of Plymouth-Canton students are concerned that the school district is considering cuts to its nursing staff.
Kyla Russell, our Community Creator for Plymouth, Canton Township, Westland, and Northville, is focused on reporting that truly helps the people who live in those communities.
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Kyla has been hearing from several Plymouth-Canton parents over the past 24 hours. They’re concerned about a proposal to reduce the school district’s nursing staff.
“If this goes through tonight, it will take us to one nurse per 2,000 kids, give or take,” said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous.
They’re one of many people who reached out to Kyla about this issue.
The issue is scheduled to be discussed at a board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2026. According to the resolution, the possible cuts are due to “economic and budget cutbacks.”
The concerned resident who spoke to Kyla used to work on the medical staff in the school district.
“I’m worried that we are looking at saving -- I don’t know what they make, but potentially, let’s just say if they were making about $50,000 -- that we’re saving $250,000,” they said. “What happens when an error is made? How much is that then going to cost the district? What’s going to happen to that kiddo? What’s going to happen to their family?”
They said one of their main concerns is for children with diabetes, because time matters so much in those cases.
“If your sugar drops, it’s time,” they said. “Time is essential.”
Kyla reached out to the school district. Officials said the total number of nurses could drop to nine, but said every school will continue to have an assigned school nurse. The district will maintain licensed nursing oversight for all students with health needs, the statement said.
District officials added that they’ll continue to follow state guidelines for health services, including diabetes.
We asked the concerned resident if they had a message for the board members.
“I’d say you really need to reevaluate this,” they said. “Is the short-term savings going to be worth the long-term potential risk that you’re taking?”
You can read the entire statement from the school district below.
Kyla will continue to follow up on this story and the board’s decision. She is also listening to other concerns she hears from residents in the comments of her Instagram page. Click here to follow Kyla and leave your own story idea.
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Full statement from school district
Here is the full statement from Plymouth-Canton Community Schools:
As part of P-CCS’ proposed budget reduction plan, which calls for reducing $10 million in operating costs districtwide, nursing staff would be reduced by five full-time equivalent positions, bringing the total number of nurses to nine. Even after these reductions, the district will maintain a nursing staff level that exceeds pre-pandemic staffing, when P-CCS employed six nurses.
Every school will continue to have an assigned school nurse, and the district will maintain licensed nursing oversight for all students with health needs. Nurses will continue to coordinate care, develop health plans, provide staff training, oversee delegated medical procedures, and support students with complex medical needs. Students whose IEPs or 504 Plans require one-to-one nursing services will continue to receive those services.
The district will also continue to follow Michigan Department of Education guidelines for student health services, including diabetes care. In addition, all schools will maintain trained emergency response teams and MI HEARTSafe designation. The district remains committed to providing safe and effective health services while addressing budget challenges.
Finally, it is important to note that P-CCS prioritized protecting classroom instruction and student learning to the greatest extent possible. The district approached the proposed reductions in a manner that minimized job losses through attrition, retirement and reassignment of impacted staff into vacant positions throughout the district.
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools