Butte School District

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

5230P

Prevention of Disease Transmission Continued

A communicable disease, in and of itself, does not present a condition that precludes school attendance or employment. Decisions affecting current assignment or placement of a student or an employee known to be infected with a communicable disease are governed by recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Butte-Silver Bow County Health Department, and District policies.

Casual Communicable Diseases

Casual communicable diseases are diseases which can be transmitted by casual, day -to-day contact in the school setting. An employee or a student (or parent or guardian of, if a minor) diagnosed with, who presents with, or who has reason to believe he/she has a casual communicable disease such as tuberculosis, chickenpox, scabies, measles, etc., will report to the school nurse. The nurse, after contacting the parent, identified physician, or county health department, will inform the Superintendent of any potential risk of transmission from the employee or the student to others in the school setting.

A current list of reportable casual communicable diseases identified by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services will be maintained in the nurse’s office at each school.

The Superintendent has authority to exclude a student or an employee from school/ employment, when reliable evidence or information from a qualified source confirms the student or employee has a communicable disease or infection which may be spread by casual contact and is considered a health threat to the school population. The student or employee will be excluded from school/employment, until their physician approves school attendance, or the condition is no longer considered contagious.

All persons privileged with medical information pertaining to students or employees will maintain strict confidentiality. Such information should not be given to anyone, without the consent of the infected employee or student (or parent or guardian if a minor).

Noncasual Communicable Diseases

Noncasual communicable diseases are diseases not transmittable by casual, everyday contact in a school setting. Bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, and AIDS are not spread by casual, everyday contact and will therefore be termed noncasual communicable diseases.

Students and employees with bloodborne diseases are entitled by law to all rights, privileges, and services accorded to other District students and employees.

The District will provide an appropriate alternative education program, if needed, based on individual circumstances, as defined in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA).

All decisions will be reevaluated, as the condition of the infected individual changes.

Information regarding an infected employee or student (or parent or guardian of, if a minor) is strictly confidential and will be disclosed only to those persons the infected employee or student (or parent or guardian of, if a minor) wishes to inform. The only person the informed employee is required to contact is the Superintendent, and the only information required to be given to the Superintendent is that the disclosure was made. The name of the individual is not to be revealed to the Superintendent unless requested by the individual. The Superintendent will notify the Butte-Silver Bow County Health Department without naming the individual.

Whether or not communicable disease-infected students or employees are involved, the District will take steps, as determined by the Superintendent and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, to educate students, employees, and parents regarding communicable diseases, to minimize risk of transmission and assist efforts to provide the best education to the infected individuals.

A team comprised of the individual’s physician, Butte-Silver Bow County Health Department representative, parent or legal guardian if the individual is a minor, and the building principal may be formed to provide assistance to an infected student or employee, if the employee or parent or legal guardian agrees such a team is necessary. The parent or legal guardian of a minor student will be required to sign an information release providing authority to discuss the student’s case in a team approach.

Procedure History:
Promulgated on: 10/18/04
Revised on: