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 students or other 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 immunodepressed employees shall be determined by their personal physician. The health risk to others in the school district environment from the presence of an employee with a communicable disease shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the employee's personal physician, a physician chosen by the school district or public health officials.

It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent, when the Superintendent or school nurse, upon investigation, has knowledge that a reportable communicable disease is present, to notify the Iowa Department of Public Health. Health data of a student is confidential and it shall not be disclosed to third parties.

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.
45 C.F.R. Pt. 84.3
Iowa Code ch. 139A.8
641 I.A.C. 1.2-.5, 7.

Cross Reference:  Exposure Control Plan
Policy 411 Communicable Diseases - Employees
Policy 505.1 Student Records
Policy Primer-Volume 7, Number 4-May 31, 1994

Adopted:  10/17/88
Modified:  06/21/21
Reviewed:  06/07/21