Committee advances changes to school-based health and outpatient mental-health policy

The Policy Committee on Sept. 15 continued its review of Big Spring School District's draft policy on school-based health services and outpatient mental-health services and approved a set of edits to be written into a new draft for committee review and referral to the full board.

Committee leadership proposed language that would require contracted service providers to name the district as an additional insured on their general and professional liability insurance and to provide certificates of insurance to the district. The committee also added a provision stating that "external providers operating under this policy should not dispense or store any prescription medication on district property" and that any medication prescribed as a result of a mental-health evaluation "must be managed in accordance with existing district medication administration policies and Pennsylvania Department of Health regulations." The draft also clarifies that district staff (including nurses) may continue to administer limited, non-invasive first aid (adhesive bandages, parent-approved cough drops) that does not require clinical judgment.

Committee members and administrators emphasized coordination with legally mandated services. The policy text now explicitly states it will not override or limit services required under a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plans, IDEA or similar laws and that referrals and documentation must comply with the applicable procedural safeguards. The draft also notes that nothing in the policy should be construed to limit rights of students aged 14 and older to seek outpatient mental-health treatment under Pennsylvania Act 147 of 2004.

The committee voted to have the changes written into a formal draft and bring that draft back to the committee for final approval before forwarding to the full board for consideration.