Infectious Diseases 

The Superintendent or designee shall consult with local health officials regarding the criteria for determining the admission or exclusion of a child with a suspected or diagnosed infectious disease.  If necessary, the Superintendent or designee shall obtain a written statement from the student's physician that the child does not pose a risk of infection to other students and district personnel.

Confidentiality

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that student confidentiality rights are strictly observed in accordance with law.  No district employee shall release medical information, including knowledge of a bloodborne pathogen infection, without written consent from the parent/guardian.  Such information may be shared only with those persons specifically named in the written permission.

Infections or Special Susceptibility to Infection

1. Before a review panel is convened to develop recommendations for the appropriate placement of students with infections or special susceptibility to infection, the Superintendent or designee shall obtain a written statement from the child's parent/guardian authorizing the Superintendent or designee and the health officer to obtain confidential information from the student's physician and any other source of pertinent medical, psychological or educational information.
   
   
2. A review panel shall be convened, composed of:
   
   1. The student's parent/guardian.
   2. The student's physician.
   3. The district's appointed medical consultant or public health official.
   4. The Superintendent or designee.
   5. Other appropriate school personnel.
      
      
3. Upon collecting the required authorizations and statements, the review panel shall evaluate placement options for the child.  The panel shall consider:
   
   1. The age, physical condition, neurological development and behavior of the infected student.
   2. The expected type of interaction with others in the school environment.
   3. Risks to the infected student.
      
      
4. The review panel shall provide the Superintendent or designee with recommendations regarding the student's placement in regular classes or in an alternative educational program.  The panel is encouraged to recommend alternative programs:
   
   
   1. When a question exists as to whether transfer of infection may occur due to:
      
      1. Uncoverable oozing lesions.
      2. Inability to safely control bodily secretions.
      3. Behavior.
         
         
   2. When a student is at high risk of acquiring a secondary infection.
      
      
   3. When the student has a significant health problem that permanently restricts his/her ability to attend class.
      
      
5. The review panel shall also develop a written plan recommending procedures for personal care and for modification, if necessary, of the student's academic program.  The panel shall review this plan regularly to determine any need for changes in placement, care or services.
   
   
6. The identity of a student with infection and/or special susceptibility to infection shall be held in confidence.  Review panel members shall not share this confidence with anyone outside the panel except in accordance with law.
   
   
7. When infections such as chicken pox, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, tuberculosis or measles occur at school, the Superintendent or designee shall so inform the student's parent/guardian and physician, so that the physician who is aware of the student's immune status may assess the student's risks from exposure to these infections.

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date:  10/13/99
Revision Date: 10/12/2011

• AR 5141.22