FILE: JGCC
STUDENT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board recognizes the importance of protecting the health and welfare of the educational system from the spread of communicable diseases, and shall cooperate with federal, state, and local public health officials in the prevention, control, and containment of communicable diseases in the school setting.
A communicable disease shall be defined as a persistent or recurring infection which may be potentially transmitted to a susceptible person by contact with an infected individual.
The Superintendent may only exclude a student from school:
When reliable evidence or information from a public health officer or physician confirms a student has a communicable disease or infection that is known to be spread by any form of casual contact and is considered a health threat to the school population, the student shall be excluded from school until state, federal, or local public health officials determine the condition is no longer contagious and the student can remain in school.
When reliable evidence or information from a public health officer or physician confirms a student has a communicable disease or infection that is known not to be spread by casual contact, the decision as to whether or not the student will remain in school shall be addressed on a case-by-case basis by a Review Panel to ensure due process.
If the student’s physician and/or a physician of the School Board's choice indicates that the health of the student does not allow his/her continued attendance in the regular education program, education services shall be provided in the setting appropriate to the health status of the child.
Irrespective of the disease presence, routine procedures shall be used and adequate sanitation facilities shall be available for handling blood or body fluids within the school setting or on school buses. School personnel shall be trained in the proper procedures for handling blood and body fluids and these procedures shall be strictly adhered to by all school personnel (see Guidelines for Handling Body Fluids in School).
Students shall receive age-appropriate instruction on the principal modes by which communicable diseases are spread, and the best methods for the restriction and prevention of these diseases.
REVIEW PANEL
Upon learning that a student has a communicable disease that is known not to be spread by casual contact, the Superintendent shall convene a Review Panel, consisting of himself/herself and other members as outlined in Bulletin 135, Health and Safety, to review the health condition of the student, the potential health threat the student’s condition may pose, and other related aspects. Due process procedures shall be conducted on a case-by-case basis by the Review Panel as enumerated in Bulletin 135.
Within three (3) operational days (i.e. a day when the School Board Central Office is open for business) after the Review Panel convenes, the Superintendent shall provide a written decision to the student and his/her parents. The written decision shall convey information brought out during the review process and include the rationale for the decision concerning continued school attendance by the student.
APPEALS
Appeals may be made by the parent or guardian in writing to the Superintendent and subsequently to the School Board as outlined in Health and Safety, Bulletin 135. If the written decision of the Superintendent is contrary to the majority opinion of the Review Panel, a majority of the Review Panel has the right to appeal the decision in the same manner as outlined in Bulletin 135.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All persons involved in procedures to assess school attendance of a student with a communicable disease shall be required to treat all medical information about the student, any proceedings, deliberations, and/or documents as confidential information.
Before any medical information is shared with anyone in the school setting, a “Need to Know” review shall be made which includes the parent/legal guardian, student if age 18 or over, unless the information is required to meet the mandates of federal or state law or regulation, or Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) policy.
Revised: November 28, 2018
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:170
Health and Safety, Bulletin 135, Louisiana Department of Education
Board minutes, 11-28-18
West Baton Rouge Parish School Board