CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Members of the North Carolina General Assembly are working on legislation to address the lack of school nurses.

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has a 1-to-881 nurse-to-student ratio
• More and more kids have chronic diseases, public health experts say
• County needs up to $79 million annually to meet standards, county officials say

The recommended nurse-to-student ratio by the National Association of School Nurses and State Board of Education is one nurse for every 750 students. However, school districts like Lincoln County have more than 1,400 students per nurse.

Many times, one nurse has to cover multiple schools.

“So, we must do something because when students are healthy they perform better in school. Their academic performance is better, their behavior is better and the health is better for everybody,” Senator Joyce Waddell said.

Lawmakers are expected to introduce school nurse legislation when the general assembly is back in session. They plan to discuss raising school nurse staffing standards, directing more funding towards school nurse positions and requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate and establish Medicaid reimbursement for school-based nursing services.