The Dickson County School Board voted on Nov. 20 to adopt policy 6.4031, adding bed-bug treatment and exclusion procedures to its student-health policies after an extended debate over how long a student may be excluded and what constitutes proof of treatment.

Board members and staff argued for urgency. A presenter said the policy addresses an "emergent nature" of bed-bug incidents and recommended passing the policy that night. Board discussion focused on a provision that requires students to provide "satisfactory evidence" of treatment and a line that says a student must meet treatment requirements and return "no later than the 2 days following the exclusion." One board member asked, "we're saying after 2 days, it's gonna be unexcused absence," expressing concern that two days might not allow time for some families to complete treatments and for homes to be remediated.

School staff responded that the district's practical procedures give families alternatives: students can change clothes at school, the school will dry and pretreat clothing, and a nurse or school-health official can complete an on-site satisfactory examination so that return does not always require a treated home. A facilities/staff presenter said those measures make the two-day target workable for many cases. "One of the ways that you treat a bed bug infestation is extermination in the home," a presenter said while describing options; another added that heat from a dryer kills bed bugs and that daily clothing changes and drying can allow students to return safely.

After members debated whether language such as "satisfactory examination" should be defined or allow more discretionary days, a board member moved to suspend the rules to allow a second reading that night. The motion to suspend was seconded and carried by roll call. The board then voted to pass policy 6.4031 on first and second reading the same night; the motion carried.

The vote concluded with the policy adopted as presented; board members said a work session or later amendment could refine definitions such as what constitutes a "satisfactory examination." No public comment on the policy was recorded during the meeting.

The new policy will be reflected in board materials and the superintendent's office will follow up with implementation steps and guidance for school nurses and families.