ADAMS TWP — A parent said Mars School District is not helping his young daughter with her diabetic care while at school.

Ben Kivlan told the school board Tuesday night that his daughter, who is a third-grader at the elementary school, was diagnosed 13 weeks ago with type 1 diabetes.

Kivlan said he was promised that a nurse would be in the building at all times, but was not during a few incidents when his daughter was experiencing diabetic symptoms and needed help.

“We’re not asking the school district to take on any burden of care for her,” Kivlan said. “What we’re looking for is for her to have a safe environment at school so she can continue here at Mars.”

He said in once instance, his wife left the school after administering the girl’s lunch medication and she forgot to alert the nurse that the dosage had changed.

When she called the school to give the nurse the new dosage, she was told the nurse had left the building, Kivlan said.

“My wife was quite surprised and said ‘Well, then (my daughter) isn’t safe in your building,’” he said.

In another incident, Kivlan said the girl came to the nurse’s office to report that she was feeling symptoms, but went to the main office when she discovered the nurse wasn’t there.

He said his wife happened to be in the office at the time and took her daughter home.

“We’re a little hurt and discouraged, and (we feel) a fair amount of distrust at this point,” Kivlan told the board.

Another time, Kivlan said, the nurse’s office was locked when the girl went there feeling symptoms. When a staff member let her into the nurse’s office, Kivlan said his daughter sat alone for the nurse for 30 minutes until the nurse arrived.

“We’re concerned with her health and what could have happened in those 30 minutes,” Kivlan said.

He said if his daughter is left untreated, she could suffer seizures, lapse into a coma or worse.

Kivlan recommended the district hire enough nurses to cover all the school buildings, and provide staff training for emergency medical care.

“There was a lack of education by the staff in being able to recognize these situations,” Kivlan said.

He gave the board documents listing the family’s concerns, potential solutions and the district’s legal obligations regarding oversight of their daughter.

Board President Dayle Ferguson said she would continue talking with administrators, who are aware of the situation.

“We will certainly review your information and take it under advisement,” Ferguson said.