School nurses and county health officials briefed the board on Aug. 12 about measles preparedness, saying the district is auditing student immunization records and coordinating exclusion of non‑immune individuals under public‑health orders.
Jess Jimerson, a district health services manager, said the law requires families to submit an immunization certificate, a religious or medical exemption, or a provisional certificate before enrollment; she noted exceptions for students who are homeless under the McKinney‑Vento Act or for children of active‑duty military families, who may enroll while records are obtained.
Jimerson described measles symptoms and timelines: the average incubation period is about 10–12 days (range 7–21), Koplik spots may appear 2–3 days after initial symptoms, and a characteristic rash typically appears 2–4 days later. She said an infected person can be contagious beginning four days before the rash and for four days after symptoms subside.
Johnson County Public Health reported four confirmed county cases in June 2025 — one primary unimmunized traveler and three household contacts — and told the district that public‑health officials will identify susceptible contacts and issue exclusion orders. Jimerson said non‑immune students and staff could be excluded for up to 21 days after last exposure and must follow public‑health guidance to return.
Nurses are compiling lists of students lacking complete measles vaccination records, encouraging staff and volunteers to confirm their status, and working with translators and community clinics to obtain or verify records for students who moved from other countries. Jimerson advised families to call a health care provider for testing rather than walking into clinics to avoid potential exposures.
Board members asked about substitutes and provision of instructional materials for excluded students; administrators said daily instruction would not be provided by the district while a student is excluded but teachers and building staff would work to send academic work and maintain communication.
No policy change was proposed at the meeting; staff said they will continue close coordination with Johnson County Public Health and will update the board if the situation changes.