District warns families: Oct. 1 local exclusion date (Oct. 15 state date) approaches; ~1,527 students missing paperwork

Superintendent Gill on Sept. 15 reminded families that Springfield Public Schools enforces a local exclusion date of Oct. 1 for required back‑to‑school physicals and immunizations, with the Illinois state exclusion date on Oct. 15.

District staff said they will accept documentation of scheduled appointments as evidence of compliance prior to Oct. 1, but the state exclusion on Oct. 15 is mandatory: “On the fifteenth, you’re out no matter what. That’s a state law,” Superintendent Gill said. The superintendent also said nurses are working with families and community clinics (Springfield Clinic and SAU Pediatrics) and that the Springfield Department of Public Health previously held a walk‑in clinic.

As of the meeting staff reported that “1,527 students” had not turned in either one or both required health forms. The superintendent told the board the number is districtwide and not concentrated at a single school, though some schools have more than 100 students missing paperwork.

Why it matters: the district enforces the state exclusion date and uses the earlier local date to encourage families to complete requirements sooner so students can attend without interruption. Staff urged families to schedule appointments immediately and to provide documentation to the school nurse if an appointment is scheduled.

Practical details: for families who cannot secure appointments the district said nurses can point to available community options and will accept verified appointment confirmations as a short‑term accommodation before the state exclusion date. The district emphasized October 1 is its local deadline to help avoid losing instructional time; the state’s legal exclusion date remains Oct. 15.