Code No. 507.3
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES - STUDENTS
Students with a communicable disease will be allowed to attend school provided their presence does not create a substantial risk of illness or transmission to other students or employees. The term "communicable disease" shall mean an infectious or contagious disease spread from person to person, or animal to person, or as defined by law.
Prevention and control of communicable diseases shall be included in the school district's bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan. The procedures shall include scope and application, definitions, exposure control, methods of compliance, universal precautions, vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards to employees and record keeping. This plan shall be reviewed annually by the superintendent and school nurse.
The health risk to immuno-depressed students shall be determined by their personal physician. The health risk to others in the school district environment from the presence of a student with a communicable disease shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the student's personal physician, a physician chosen by the school district or public health officials.
Since there may be greater risks of transmission of a communicable disease for some persons with certain conditions than for other persons infected with the same disease, these special conditions: the risk of transmission of the disease, the effect upon the education program, the effect upon the student, and other factors deemed relevant by public health officials or the superintendent shall be considered in assessing the student's’ continued attendance at school. The superintendent may require medical evidence that students with a communicable disease are able to attend school.
A student who is at school and who has a communicable disease which creates a substantial risk of harm to other students, employees, or others at school shall report the condition to the superintendent any time the student is aware that the disease actively creates such risk.
Health data of a student is confidential and it shall not be disseminated. In compliance with FERPA, health data shall be shared with staff on a “need to know” basis as described in FERPA regulations.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the school nurse, to develop administrative regulations stating the procedures for dealing with students with a communicable disease.
Legal Reference: School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273 (1987).
29 U.S.C. §§ 701 et seq. (1988).
45 C.F.R. Pt. 84.3 (1993).
Iowa Code ch. 139 (1995).
641 I.A.C. 1.2-.5, 7.
Cross Reference: 403.3 Communicable Diseases - Employees
506 Student Records
507 Student Health and Well-Being
Approved: 8/7/89 Revised: 9/14/92 Reviewed: 7/06
Revised: 4/14/97
Revised: 1/99
Revised: 2/17