Board hears first reading of new safety and training policies: cardiac response, opioid antagonist access, limits on nonacademic trainings and heat protocols

The Louisa County School Board received a first reading of multiple new or revised policies that implement recent state requirements for student and staff safety and for training limits.

Staff said the policies include a cardiac response plan (policy EB) requiring athletic emergency plans, AED locations and stop‑the‑bleed kits; an accompanying training policy (EPBA) that sets staff training requirements; and a drill requirement (PBCD) for at least annual practice of the cardiac arrest plan at middle and high schools. The district also described new opioid‑antagonist requirements (Narcan): staff training, a designated supply of opioid antagonists on campus, and a provision that an employee who attempts to administer an opioid antagonist cannot be disciplined based on the outcome of the attempt.

Policy GCL was highlighted for its limit on non‑academic training for teachers: no teacher can be required to participate more frequently than once within six months of employment and then only once during each subsequent five‑year period for non‑academic training, and the total non‑academic training hours in each five‑year period cannot exceed 25 hours. Staff said state and federal requirements are excluded from that limit and that the district is auditing existing trainings to determine what falls under the limitation.

The board also heard about an athletic heat‑safety policy (JJAG) setting tiers for activity modifications, equipment limits, mandatory rest/work ratios, shaded breaks and cancellation thresholds tied to extreme heat. Staff said availability and placement of cooling areas and AEDs will be coordinated with athletic staff and coaches.

Board members asked whether the policies will require additional staff or recurring costs. The staff presenter said the primary immediate cost would be stop‑the‑bleed kits and that there is a provision allowing reduced kit counts if funding is not provided. The health department or other partners will be sources for opioid‑antagonist supply, staff said.

No votes were taken; this was a first reading. Staff said they are reviewing state code to determine which trainings are exempt from the GCL limits and will return with recommended policy text for adoption at a later meeting.