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District proposes update to head-lice policy to limit exclusions and classwide notices
Summary
Nurse Manager Bridal Newkirk presented a first reading of proposed revisions to Board Policy 5141.33 to align with CSBA guidance: allow treated students back after medication and reserve notifications for multiple cases to avoid stigmatizing students.
At the Nov. 18 meeting the board heard a first reading of proposed revisions to Board Policy 5141.33 (head lice) intended to align district practice with the California School Boards Association model and current public-health guidance.
"So we are proposing an update to our board policy regarding LICE to align with the current model provided by CSBA," Nurse Manager Bridal Newkirk said, explaining the goal is to minimize unnecessary exclusion. Staff walked trustees through research finding that "No net policies don't do much to reduce the spread of lice or to reduce outbreaks," and recommended allowing students to return after treatment with a standard pediculocide rather than requiring removal of all nits before return.
The policy would also narrow notifications to the school community: staff said classwide notifications will be used only when multiple cases or conditions suggest a higher transmission risk. The board approved bringing the revision back for placement on the consent agenda at a future meeting.
