PORT HURON, MI — The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 during its meeting Thursday, Feb. 19, to submit an intent to terminate its agreement with Port Huron Area School District to operate the Teen Health Clinic at Port Huron High School.
Voting in favor were Commissioners Steven Simasko, Kerry Ange, Joi Torello, Paul Zeller and David Rushing. Commissioners Dave Vandenbossche and Lisa Beedon voted no.
The vote follows a 7-0 recommendation Wednesday, Feb. 18, from the county’s Advisory Board of Health supporting a transition of the clinic from direct county operation to an outside provider.
The action comes after County Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin issued a memorandum on Feb.17, recommending the county end its operation of the school-based clinic and transfer services to a qualified primary care agency, such as a federally qualified health center.
In the memo, Nevin wrote that a recent review revealed “systemic lapses in oversight” and practices inconsistent with the health department’s public health mandate and community expectations. He cited documented exposure of young patients — potentially as young as 10 — to allegedly sexually explicit materials and undisclosed demographic survey questions.
The clinic temporarily closed earlier this month for a quality assurance and compliance review and reopened Feb. 17. In a media release, Nevin said he was confident the clinic was prepared to continue meeting youth health care needs, and officials said the review confirmed services were operating in adherence to applicable laws and county policies.
Transition before next grant cycle
County Administrator/Controller Thomas Hull said the vote does not immediately close the clinic but instead allows PHASD to explore options before the current Child and Adolescent Health Center grant cycle ends Sept. 30, 2026.
Hull said the goal is to have a provider identified before the next grant period begins Oct. 1, 2026. He recommended submitting an intent to terminate without a specific end date, with either party later issuing the required 30-day notice under the contract.
During discussion, commissioners clarified that once the agreement is terminated, the county would relinquish oversight.
“We would have no oversight?” Beedon asked.
“Yes,” Simasko replied.
Simasko said the structure would mirror the previous transition of the Algonac clinic, now operated by Community First Health Centers rather than the county.
According to health department officials, five or six staff members are dedicated to the teen clinic. It remains unclear what will happen to those employees, though options could include reassignment to the main health department clinic or continuing in their roles under a new provider.
School district response
PHASD Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas told the Times Herald he was disappointed by the county’s decision but acknowledged the six-month transition timeline.
“Although I am disappointed in the County’s decision to sever an agreement that has served our students well for 40 years, I appreciate the Health Department agreeing to the requested timeline of 6 months to allow for a seamless transition to a new sponsor,” he said.
He said the district has already met with potential providers and intends to ensure services continue.
“Port Huron Schools is committed to keeping the doors of the Teen Health Center open and serving our area children for years to come — they need us,” Kerhoulas said.
Commissioner reaction
Commissioner Kerry Ange told the Times Herald she supported the transition and praised health department leadership for addressing concerns raised earlier this year.
“I am grateful our Health Officer apologetically took immediate action to remove all inappropriate materials from the Teen Health Clinic,” she said.
Ange said she was relieved the clinic will no longer promote bedsider.org to minors and expressed support for transitioning services to private charitable providers such as Community First.
If completed as discussed, county operation would end with the current grant period Sept. 30, 2026, with the goal of a new provider in place by Oct. 1, 2026.
The Board of Commissioners holds regular meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Its next meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Meetings are held in the County Administration Building, 200 Grand River Ave., Port Huron and are livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Commissioners vote 5-2 to end county operation of teen clinic
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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