Bay District School Board cancels Memorandum of Understanding with health department

After months of conversation, the Bay District School Board voted to cancel its Memorandum of Understanding with the Florida Department of Health in Bay County Tuesday.

This comes after the board failed to approve Superintendent Bill Husfelt's request to do so last week. The board's vote resulted in a tie.

Husfelt made the request to cancel the agreement after allegations of health department employees tampering with student health records.

These allegations are reportedly under investigation.

Those on both sides of the conversation agree students health is a top priority.

"We're not letting any child slip through the cracks, if at all humanly possible, because that's what's most important," Heather Hudson, one school board attorney, said.

The following statement comes from the Florida Department of Health in Bay County:

“The Florida Department of Health in Bay County has the interest of Bay County’s children as its top priority. DOH-Bay will work with Bay District Schools to develop a new agreement while reviewing its options to maintain compliance with the law and focusing on the safety and health of Florida’s students.”

Hudson said the next step is for the school district, DOH-Bay, the School Health Advisory Committee, and PanCare to come together to form a cohesive agreement.

After Tuesday's vote to cancel the MOU, Hudson does not believe student healthcare services will be affected at school. She said PanCare has been providing services all year and will continue to be.