Policy:

The Governing Board desires to protect students from risks posed by exposure to infectious diseases while providing an appropriate education for all students. The Executive Director’s designee shall determine whether to admit a student with an infectious disease and shall exclude students only in accordance with the law. In making this determination, the designee shall consult the student’s parents/guardians, the student’s physician, and/or the county health department in accordance with the law and consistent with confidentiality provisions.

Because of bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is not casually transmitted, the sole presence of bloodborne pathogens are not a sufficient reason to exclude students from attending school.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to inform the designee if their child has an infectious disease so that school staff may work cooperatively with the student’s parent/guardians to minimize the child’s exposure to other diseases in the school setting. The designee shall ensure that student confidentiality rights are strictly observed in accordance with the law. No school employee shall release medical information, including knowledge of bloodborne pathogen infection, without written consent from the parent/guardian or adult student. Such information shall be shared only with those persons specifically named in the written permission.

The Board requires students and staff to routinely observe universal precautions to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases. The designee shall ensure that the school’s health education program provides information about the nature of bloodborne pathogens and their transmission.

Procedure

Review Team

The parents/guardians of a student with an infectious disease may ask the designee to convene a review panel to make recommendations regarding appropriate programs and services for their child. The review panel may refer the decision to an individualized education program or 504 team as appropriate.

Original Policy 06/07/2019