A325 Communicable Disease

It is the policy of the School Board to protect the health and safety of students and employees in the school setting.

The Board is responsible for establishing school attendance policies and procedures, which consider the best interests of all students.

There are numerous communicable diseases that may affect the school age population and/or school staff. The Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify reportable communicable diseases and conditions for health care, and conditions and diseases of public health significance. 

For purposes of this policy, “communicable disease” shall include diphtheria, scarlet fever and other strep infections, whooping cough, mumps, measles, rubella, various respiratory infections, and others designated by the Indiana Department of Public Health.

The Indiana State Department of Health or Superintendent or his or her designee may deny admittance or remove from attendance any student with a suspected or diagnosed reportable communicable disease.

All student and personnel health records shall be kept confidential subject to the review and approval of local/state health authorities in accordance with applicable federal and state law.

In order to further protect the health and safety of the students, Corporation personnel, and the community at large, the Board shall follow all state statutes and Indiana State Department of Health regulations pertaining to immunization and other means for controlling casual-contact communicable diseases spread through normal interaction in the school setting.

Local and/or state health authorities as required by law shall make the decision concerning school attendance. Pursuant to Indiana law, absenteeism rates of twenty percent (20%) or greater will be reported to the local health department.

The use of "universal precautions" when an employee has direct contact with blood or other body fluids is required. “Universal precautions” are defined as procedures specified by the State Board of Health under I.C. 4-22-2 that are used to prevent the transmission of dangerous communicable diseases through blood or other body fluids. Failure of employees to use universal precautions may result in disciplinary action and dismissal if warranted.

The Superintendent is further authorized to develop administrative guidelines to implement this policy. 

• Adopted/Revised: June 15, 2020