Deltona, FL - The Volusia County School Board held a special meeting on Tuesday to approve an agreement with Florida Hospital.
The non-profit, faith based organization will provide health care services to district schools. The agreement was approved in a motion 4-0 with the absence of one board member, Dr. John Hill, at the recommendation of Superintendent Tom Russell.
The meeting was held in the auditorium of Deltona High School.
The Florida Hospital Healthy Futures Program of Volusia County Schools is a five-year, $2 million committment by Florida Hospital.
The agreement grants marketing rights to Florida Hospital. This includes naming rights to all high school and middle school healthcare academies and programs in which the hospital chain will have direct involvement.
The partnership will provide services in the areas of chronic student absenteeism, student athletes and career exploration opportunities.
"The students represent the future and it is important that we help set them up for success," said David Ottati, North Region CEO of Florida Hospital's Central Florida Division.
While the agreement names exclusive rights to Florida Hospital in regards to marketing, it does not limit the current involvement of its local competitor, Halifax Hospital. Halifax Hospital currently provides mental health and behaviorial services including therapists to the district.
A majority of the public speakers at the meeting were Halifax employees who are concerned about the agreement potentially restricting their existing programs.
"I wish this was done in such a way, where we don't lose what we have from Halifax and we're just gaining a lot, lot more from Florida Hospital," stated School Board member Carl Persis during the meeting.
