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School board updates JHCC regulation to broaden lice notification and screening language
Summary
The Halifax County School Board approved updates to regulation JHCC to change lice screening and parent notification language; the regulation will apply to a broader set of grade levels and allow nurses discretion for mass screenings, board members said.
The Halifax County School Board approved an update to regulation JHCC that revises the district’s approach to head‑lice identification, screening and parental notification.
Board members discussed two parts of the regulation: communication letters to classrooms and mass screening procedures. Staff said the policy language was adjusted so the notification letter goes to the entire classroom (communication) while mass screenings are limited by grade levels to avoid singling out students. Nurses retain discretion for individual follow‑up and for mass screening decisions in certain grade bands. Staff noted the wording was developed after consultation with the local group of school nurse coordinators and that the change reflects those recommendations rather than an individual CDC directive.
A motion to revise the regulation to apply the updated screening language from pre‑K through the appropriate elementary grades (and to ensure page 2 of the regulation reflects the same grade span) passed on the record. Board members expressed concern about singling out students and bullying and supported the approach that uses whole‑class notification or school nurses’ discretion rather than routinely pulling individual students from class for screening.
The adopted change directs administration to finalize the regulation text as discussed and to publish the updated regulation for implementation by school nurses and administrators.
