THE ITEM

Vote gives school nurses control over medical decisions

Head lice policy voted; other policies will move to subcommittee

Jan Gottesman
Telegram & Gazette

CLINTON - In the past, when a student was found to have head lice, the School Committee had a policy of immediately pulling the child out of school and notifying all the parents, which some felt stigmatized the children and cut into their education time.

Recently, the Clinton School Committee reviewed a policy proposed by the state Association of School Committees that members felt went too far in the other direction, keeping the student in school and not notifying other parents.

This week, the School Committee approved a measure that was intended to be a compromise, by allowing school nurses to make the medical decisions.

"It is the position of the Clinton Public School System that the management of pediculosis (head lice) should not disrupt the educational process," the policy states. "Children found with live head lice or children with nits who have had no recent treatment may be dismissed to parents/guardians for treatment at the discretion of the school nurse." The policy adds that parents or guardians will be provided with informational materials.

"Because no disease process is associated with head lice, students will not be excluded from school after the appropriate lice treatment," the policy states. "Upon the return, the school nurse will determine the evidence of treatment and the child may be readmitted even if some nits remain. Further monitoring for signs of re-infestation by the school nurse is appropriate."

School Committee Chairman Joel Bates, who is a member of the Policy and Procedure Subcommittee, said the School Committee's purview is policy, and this policy gives the power of procedures to the nurses, who have the medical training.

"It is a nice balance," School Superintendent Steven Meyer said. "It allows nurses and the administration to keep schools healthy, but not make them (the students) miss school unnecessarily."

Two other policies were referred to the Policy and Procedures Subcommittee.

One, which gives rules for advertising in the schools, will look at how to prohibit advertising for products - such as vaping materials, marijuana and liquor - that students are not allowed to purchase.

Meyer said the request to review the policy was promoted by the Booster Club asking for permission to sell signs at the athletic fields.

"It is hypocritical to say to students, if you use it, you will be suspended, but we will make money off of it," said School Committee member Brendan Bailey.

A second policy, also prompted by a request from the community, was referred to the Policy and Procedures Subcommittee.

The Clinton Schools do not have a policy on memorials. The Mass. Association of School Committees' recommended policy states that while the committee "recognizes that the death of a student, member of the staff or prominent community member is deeply felt by the school community," being places designed to support learning, "school sites should not serve as the main venue for permanent memorials." The proposed policy said permanent memorials "shall be limited in form to perpetual awards or scholarships."

With a request to donate a memorial to Clinton Middle School, Meyer said he felt the policy should be considered because the school is in the "pipeline" for either a major renovation or a new school.