Portsmouth schools hire male nurse

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth School Department's first male nurse will be on hand when middle school opens today.

Victor Moniz, a former nurse at the Urban Collaborative school in Providence, was hired Tuesday night by the school committee, a week after the committee delayed his hiring when an audience member complained that his presence at the school — and particularly any interaction with female students — would be inappropriate. The unanimous decision came with no discussion.

Committee members were set to hire Mr. Moniz last week but deferred the decision until they could review a background check already completed on the candidate. Reviewing checks is standard practice, committee member Bruce Seveney said at the time, but the committee hadn't had a chance to review the report before the original meeting. The committee decided to wait until this week after issues were raised.

In the wake of the decision to wait, the American Civil Liberties Union sent the district a letter urging it to hire the nurse. School committee members said Mr. Moniz was hired from a group of five applicants reviewed by an independent hiring committee earlier this year.

Copyright © 2003, The East Bay Newspapers