School nurses could feel the brunt of Durham County's budget shortfall for next year.

According to Durham County's health director, more than 30 percent of school nurses positions could be cut or reduced.

According to county leaders, Durham County is facing a $16.5 million shortfall next year.

Managers are trying to cut 10 percent from their budgets, and that means the health department's budget could be reduced by about $1.86 million.

Gayle Harris, Durham County's health director said about 23 positions would be eliminated if the reduction were to take place. The staff reduction would affect eight school nurse positions within Durham Public Schools.

Right now, school nurses usually split their time between two to three schools. The change would force nurses to serve five to seven schools.

"We'll be needing to do more with less," Club Boulevard Elementary school nurse Amy Rafalow said.

She believes preventative programs like the school's Asthma Club would be eliminated, since school nurses would devote most of their time training staff to deal with chronic illnesses.

Harris says in-depth vision screenings could be delayed due to the proposed staff reductions. Pregnancy support programs and one-on-one counseling with students could also be affected or eliminated, according to Harris.

"It's really only a discussion, it's not anything that's set in stone," Durham county commissioner Michael Page said about the health department's concerns.

According to Page, county leaders remain in the planning stages for next year's budget, and they have "not made any kind of commitment at this point."