Fall River School Committee adopts head-lice policy after heated debate and public testimony

The Fall River School Committee on Monday approved a revised head‑lice policy that clarifies how nurses and principals should respond when students are found to have live lice.

The vote came after more than an hour of discussion at the June 9 meeting, public testimony from parent Taylor Perry and remarks from nursing staff and district leadership. The committee approved the policy by roll call after debate that centered on whether students should be sent home and how much discretion school nurses should retain.

The policy adopted keeps decisions about dismissal and return to class in the hands of clinical staff. Superintendent Tracy Curley told the committee the revised policy was drafted to align the district’s wording with current public‑health…