Vancouver Public Schools board approves minutes, consent agenda and adopts two health policies to allow epinephrine nasal spray and opioid reversal in schools

At its regular meeting, the Vancouver Public Schools board approved minutes from multiple January meetings, approved a consent agenda that included the 2025–26 school calendar and special-education system migration, and adopted two health-related policy updates that expand life-saving medication options in district schools.

Why it matters: Policy updates reflect state-level changes and give school staff and others clearer authority to carry or store emergency medications that can treat anaphylaxis and opioid overdose, which district officials said could save lives.

The board voted to adopt policy 34.20, updating anaphylaxis prevention and response rules to allow a supply of epinephrine nasal spray in addition to autoinjectors, reflecting the requirements of House Bill 1608. The board also adopted policy 34.24, clarifying that any person — including students and staff — may carry and use opioid-reversal medication (naloxone/Narcan) with a prescription or via over-the-counter purchase, language noted to align with RCW 28A.210.390.

Both policies were presented as practical updates based on changes in the Washington Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) models and state law; the board voted to approve both at second reading. The transcript records unanimous roll-call approvals from directors present.

In addition to the health policies, the board approved the minutes of Jan. 3, Jan. 9, Jan. 14 and Jan. 21 and the consent agenda, which included the district’s move of special-education programs into the Synergy system and the draft 2025–26 calendar. Directors said questions raised in committee meetings had been answered and expressed support for moving forward.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of meeting minutes (Jan. 3, 9, 14 and 21): outcome approved; roll-call approvals recorded from Directors Spruill, Zavala, Smith, Perez and Board President Decker. - Consent agenda (includes special-education Synergy migration, 2025–26 school calendar): outcome approved; roll-call approvals recorded from Directors Spruill, Zavala, Smith, Perez and Board President Decker. - Policy 34.20 (Anaphylaxis prevention and response, second reading): outcome approved; roll-call approvals recorded from Directors Zavala, Spruill, Barras, Smith and Board President Decker. - Policy 34.24 (Opioid-related overdose reversal, second reading): outcome approved; roll-call approvals recorded from Directors Zavala, Spruill, Barras, Smith and Board President Decker.

The transcript shows no amendments to the two health policies during the meeting; directors discussed them briefly and proceeded to a roll-call vote. The board chair closed the votes and the meeting moved on to first readings of other policies.