BOARD POLICY 5144
Chronic Infectious Disease
Since the early 1980’s public concerns has arisen over the possible spread of infectious and contagious diseases that affect both student and certified and non-certified employees in the school district.
A balance must be maintained between the individual’s right to privacy and the health and well being of those in the school who not infected. It is with that thought this policy is being developed.
Chronic infectious diseases are those diseases designated as such and include, but are not limited to: herpes simplex, hepatitis, hepatitis B, acquired immune deficiency syndrome/AIDS related complex, HIV antibody seropositive and cytomegalovirus.
Once a student is identified as having a chronic infectious disease, the student is still entitled to all rights, privileges, and services required by the Ohio Revised Code and the United States statutes and the existing policy of the Ironton City Schools.
When any school official is presented information that a student or employee has a chronic infectious disease the school nurse is notified and obtains a health history. The school nurse will consult city health officials. The Superintendent is notified, presented the health history, and may temporarily remove the student from school or the employee from the work place if advised to do so by health officials and the Board’s legal advisor.
A. The Superintendent shall appoint an Advisory Committee. The committee will consist of the Superintendent, the school nurse, the building principal, and a representative from the Ironton City Health Department. The Superintendent may also request a physician and/or legal counsel representing the school as part of the committee. The student or employee may request a personal physician be a part of the committee.
B. The Advisory Committee shall report its finding and recommendations to the superintendent for disposition.
C. The superintendent shall, after receiving the recommendation of the Advisory Committee choose from the following options:
1. Student
a. Assign to school unconditionally.
b. Assign to school under restrictive conditions.
c. Recommend that the student be provided with home instruction.
2. Employees
a. Assign the employee to return to his/her usual place of employment unconditionally.
b. Assign work under restrictive conditions.
c. Seek to place employee on sick leave or leave of absence.
D. The decision of the Superintendent shall be in writing to the student’s parents or guardian or
the employee.
E. The employee, student, and/or parent or guardian may request a meeting with the
Superintendent to discuss the situation.
After the superintendent’s action upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, the affected person-student through his/her parent or the employee – may request a hearing with the Board of Education. They have the right to expect that the hearing be held in closed executive session.
A. The employee, student, or parent/guardian may appeal the Superintendent’s decision
to the Board of Education.
1. The employee, student, or parent/guardian may be represented in all such appeal
proceedings and shall be granted a hearing before the Board of Education.
2. A verbatim record is required
B. The request for appeal shall be made within five (5) working days or ten (10) calendar days, whichever occurs first, or receipt of the Superintendent’s written decision.
C. The decision of the Board of Education can be further appealed to the Court of Common Pleas under Chapter 2506 of the Ohio Revised Code.
The Board of Education shall consider the individual’s rights and the health of the person infected with a chronic infectious disease and the rights and health of those not infected. The Board believes that school personnel who are involved with an infectious disease case or has been given information by school officials concerning the health status of a student or employee as referred to in this policy must remain acutely aware that they are not at liberty to share such information.
The Board of Education believes that education is one of the best means of protecting the health of both students and staff dispelling fears based upon erroneous information or lack of information. An effective education program shall be incorporated into the curriculum of health in the Ironton City Schools and educational programs available to certified and non-certified employees. In developing such programs, it is expected that information from sources such as the National Center for Disease Control, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Ohio Department of Education will be utilized.
The policy will be reviewed and revised as new medical information becomes available. The school nurse will advise and work with the Superintendent on any new recommendation given by the Ohio Department of Health and the National Center of Disease Control.
Blood or other body fluids from any child or adult may harbor a number of organisms that are potentially infectious to others. Proper cleaning and disinfection can decrease the transmission of infectious disease. Therefore, injuries that result in bleeding, nosebleeds, menstrual accidents, spilled body fluids such as urine, feces, or vomitus will be treated as potentially infectious and the following procedures will be implemented:
1. Surfaces soiled with blood, urine, feces, vomitus, etc. should be thoroughly washed with soap and water, then disinfected with a solution of household bleach and water ( ¼ cup of bleach per gallon of water). This solution should be freshly prepared for each use. After use of solution should be discarded promptly and the pail or container rinsed thoroughly.
2. Personnel cleaning the spill should wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly when finished.
3. Disposable towels should be used whenever possible.
4. Mops should be thoroughly rinsed in the disinfectant solution.
5. If bleach is unavailable the following may be used as a disinfectant: 1 part peroxide to 1 part water or rubbing alcohol full strength.
6. The custodial staff will wear gloves and use the bleach solution to disinfect in the routine cleaning of restroom facilities.
For an injury that results in bleeding, such as nosebleeds, menstrual accident, etc., the person assisting the child should wear gloves whenever possible. Direct contact with the blood is potentially infectious when there are breaks in the skin as in chapping or eczema. Proper handwashing (soap and running water for 15 seconds) significantly reduces the risk of infection from contact with all potential body fluids, whether or not gloves are worn.
This procedure will be reviewed and revised as new medical information becomes available.
DATE__________________________________________
STUDENT’S NAME ______________________________________ BIRTH DATE_________
Has your child had any of the following conditions?
1. Allergies _____ yes _____ no
2. Asthma _____ yes _____ no
3. Blood Transfusion _____ yes _____ no
4. Chicken Pox _____ yes _____ no
5. Diabetes _____ yes _____ no
6. Hemophilia _____ yes _____ no
7. Hepatitis _____ yes _____ no
If yes, please list: ________________________________________________________________
Heart Condition _____ yes _____ no
If yes, please explain: _____________________________________________________________
Seizures _____ yes _____ no
If yes, please explain: _____________________________________________________________
Vision Problems _____ yes _____ no
If yes, please explain: _____________________________________________________________
Hearing Problems _____ yes _____ no
If yes, please explain: _____________________________________________________________
Medication____________________________________________ Surgery/Tubes_____________
Is your child on any medications?
If yes, please list: ________________________________________________________________
Are there any other health problems school personnel should be aware of?
Surgery________________________________________________________________________
Injury__________________________________________________________________________
Other__________________________________________________________________________
Recent Illness: Date, Diagnosis, Treatment, Physician.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Has child been diagnosed with:
Hepatitis yes_____ no _____
Hepatitis B yes _____ no _____
Herpes Simplex yes _____ no _____
HIV antibody seropositive yes _____ no _____
ARC, Aids Related Complex yes _____ no _____
AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome yes _____ no _____
Cytomegalovirus yes _____ no _____
Is child toilet trained? urine _____ feces______
Does child presently have open sores? __________ If so, where? ________________________________
Describe: ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does child demonstrate behavior problems?
a. Temper tantrums
b. Pinching or scratching
c. Biting
How many people know of your child’s illness? _______________________________________________
Please list: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________