Assistant Superintendent Sarah Thornton presented several policy revisions the board will consider at a future meeting, citing recent state guidance and the 2025 legislative session. Thornton said one revision to the district anaphylaxis prevention policy aligns the district with a Washington Department of Health standing order allowing schools to stock epinephrine without individual prescriptions; she said school nurses coordinate procurement under that standing order.

Thornton also described changes required by ESHB 1296 (2025) that affect several policies. The oath of office policy (11‑14) will be updated to add a phrase requiring elected officials to "support the laws of the state of Washington" when sworn in. Policy adoption procedures (13‑10‑10) and nondiscrimination policies (32‑10, 50‑10, 43‑30) will be revised to prioritize student safety, access to programs free from discrimination and protections consistent with updated state protected‑class language, which Thornton said now includes ethnicity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, and neurodivergence.

Why it matters: The epinephrine change permits districts to respond to emergency anaphylaxis events when an undiagnosed allergic reaction occurs and to stock rescue medication under a standing order coordinated by district health staff. The nondiscrimination revisions codify state‑law changes across district policies.

Next steps: Thornton said the policies presented are first reading and will be placed on the consent agenda for formal approval at the September 9 meeting. Trustees asked technical questions about procurement and administration; Thornton replied that the district’s health services manager, a registered nurse, coordinates obtaining stock epinephrine under the standing order.

Sources: Report and remarks by Assistant Superintendent Sarah Thornton during the Pasco School Board meeting.