Policy Details Page

Policy No. 3414
Students

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In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases the superintendent is authorized to develop and implement the necessary regulations for the administration of this policy, assuring that all school buildings are in compliance with State Board of Health rules and regulations regarding the presence of persons who have or have been exposed to infectious diseases deemed dangerous to the public health. Such procedures shall also prescribe the manner in which safeguards are taken to remove the danger to others.

The board of directors authorizes the school principal to exclude a student who has been diagnosed by a physician or is suspected of having an infectious disease in accordance with the regulations within the most recent Infectious Disease Control Guide from the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The principal and/or school nurse shall report the presence of a suspected case or cases of reportable communicable disease to the appropriate local health authority as required by the State Board of Health. Such information concerning a student's present and past health condition shall be treated as confidential. District personnel shall cooperate with the local health officials in the investigation of the source of the disease.

The fact that a student has been tested for a sexually transmitted disease, the test result, any information relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease, and any information regarding drug or alcohol treatment for a student must be kept strictly confidential. If the district has a release, the information may be disclosed pursuant to the restrictions in the release.

A school principal has the authority to send an ill child home with parent notification, without the concurrence of the local health officer, but if the disease is reportable, the local health officer must be notified. The local health officer is the primary resource in the identification and control of infectious disease in the community and school.

Legal References:

• RCW 28A.210.010 Contagious diseases, limiting contact--Rules and regulations
• RCW 70.02 Medical records--health care information access and disclosure
• WAC 246-110 School districts and daycare centers—Contagious diseases
• WAC 246-100-071 Responsibility for reporting and cooperating with the local health department
• WAC 246-100-076 Reportable diseases and conditions

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Adoption Date: 6/22/00