Johnson County Public Health and district health staff told the school board on Tuesday they are monitoring confirmed measles cases in the region and that public health orders require nonimmune students and staff to be excluded from school for up to 21 days after the last possible exposure.

Jess Jimerson, the district health presenter, said nurses are auditing student immunization records and compiling lists of students without documented immunity so the district can work with families to schedule vaccination appointments or arrange exemptions. "Non immune students and staff will be required under public health order to stay home for 21 days after the last possible exposure," Jimerson said.

Public health described measles as a highly contagious viral illness spread by respiratory droplets; symptoms include runny nose, watery eyes, cough and high fever, with a characteristic rash appearing two to four days after initial symptoms. The average incubation period is about 10 to 12 days, with onset possible from 7 to 21 days after exposure; individuals can be contagious four days before and four days after visible symptoms.

Jimerson said families who suspect exposure should call a health care provider rather than go directly to a clinic, and public health will notify schools when cases are confirmed. When a confirmed case is identified public health will work with school nurses to identify susceptible contacts and issue exclusion orders for those without immunity.

District staff told the board they will use translation services to verify immunizations for students arriving from other countries and assist families in getting records or appointments through community clinics. Nurses will maintain provisional certificates when a student has received at least one dose of a vaccine series and follow up until the series is complete.

Board members asked about substitute staffing and continuity of instruction if many staff or students are excluded. District leaders said day‑to‑day substitute coverage is adequate currently but acknowledged that a large outbreak concentrated at one building could create staffing challenges; teachers would communicate work to affected students while they are excluded.

No board action was required; staff said they will continue close coordination with Johnson County Public Health and monitor cases and immunization records as the school year begins.