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Parent-led DPS Allergy Committee urges clearer, districtwide protocols for students with life-threatening allergies
Summary
A community group, the DPS Allergy Committee, urged the board to standardize allergy protocols districtwide, saying current principal-by-principal approaches create inconsistent protections for students with severe allergies.
Members of a parent-led Durham Public Schools Allergy Committee addressed the board on June 26 and requested clearer, district-level protocols and low-cost, consistent measures to protect students with life-threatening allergies.
Nadia Rajub, who identified herself as a co-founder of the DPS Allergy Committee, told the board the group has gathered roughly 60 community members and reviewed state and district policy. "When we look at the policy, actually, we'll get into that just a second," she told the board. Rajub cited national estimates that 1 in 13 children have severe food allergies and said about 13 percent of allergic reactions in schools occur in cafeterias while 83 percent occur in classrooms, arguing that consistent, schoolwide protocols are needed.
Committee members said North Carolina and DPS have existing policies for accommodations but that these policies lack specificity and enable widely varying local practices. "Within the policy, it states that each principal is responsible for coming up with 4 key areas to address food allergies in their school, and that's over 50 different protocols across the district," Rajub said, adding that families and staff therefore experience inconsistent practices.
The group proposed five low- or no-cost actions (included in packet materials shared with the board) such as a centralized website with medical forms and clearer communication pathways. Rajub said the committee has worked with nurses, educators and nutrition staff and offered to partner with DPS on implementation.
Board members acknowledged the remarks and asked staff to follow up; the superintendent—s office and student support staff typically handle medical accommodations and school health policy implementation.
