Infectious Diseases Policy 3414
Students
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases the superintendent shall implement procedures 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 district shall require that the parents or guardians complete a medical history form at the beginning of each school year. The nurse or school physician may use such reports to advise the parent of the need for further medical attention and to plan for potential health problems in school.
The board 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 current Infectious Disease Control Guide. The principal and/or school nurse shall report the presence of 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. The principal 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 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 community and school. The local health officer, in consultation with the superintendent can take whatever action deemed necessary to control or eliminate the spread of disease, including closing a school.
Legal References:
| RCW 28A.210.010 | Contagious diseases, limiting contact — Rules and regulations |
| Ch 246-110 WAC | School districts and day care centers — Contagious diseases |
| RCW 70.02 | Medical records — health care information access and disclosure |
Initially adopted: September 28, 1987
Adopted: February 22, 2010