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District clarifies epinephrine, opioid-antagonist administration and training requirements
Summary
The committee reviewed updates to the medication-administration policy, specifying who may be trained to give epinephrine, switching 'paraprofessional' to 'paraeducator,' requiring annual training, and adding opt-out forms for parents regarding emergency epinephrine and opioid antagonists.
The policy committee reviewed revisions to the district’s medication-administration policy addressing epinephrine and opioid-antagonist use in schools. Presenter Carrie Latour said the updates define who qualifies as a trained school employee, replace the term "paraprofessional" with "paraeducator" to align with state language, and require yearly training for personnel authorized to administer epinephrine (detailed in section J of the regulation).
Latour told the committee the district keeps epinephrine and opioid antagonists on-site for unknown allergies and emergency needs, and that the revised materials add two forms allowing parents to opt out of emergent administration of those medications. "Parents at the start of each school year are asked if they want to opt out of the emergent emergency administration of those 2 medications, they are able to do so," Latour said.
Board members asked whether staff can opt out of being the responsible person for administration; Latour said she had not encountered staff choosing to opt out and that mandatory annual trainings apply across certified staff, clerical, maintenance and paraeducators. She also said each school maintains an emergency-response team trained in first aid and mock drills. The committee discussed Narcan (an opioid antagonist) training and whether there are distinct qualification lists for administering it; Latour confirmed training exists and referred members to section E of the regulation for specifics.
No formal vote was recorded in committee; the revisions and associated forms will be posted with district policies and forms for review.
