1. PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE
   Weber School District (District) acknowledges the importance of developing within this District, guidelines for students and District employees as it relates to communicable diseases. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for initiating measures to suppress or prevent the spread of disease and for implementing regulations relating to quarantine, and other control measures to protect the public in the case of a pandemic. The District will coordinate efforts with the state and local health departments to implement such precautionary measures. The District’s goal is to make it possible for all students to attend school regularly and maximize their learning potential.
   
   
2. POLICY
   The purpose of this policy is to promote optimal health within the District by anticipating, preventing, and removing health-related barriers to learning. This policy serves to educate District employees and its residents and patrons about the risks involved in maintaining an infected employee or student in a school setting, recognizing that such information will help in providing optimum care and education for an infected employee or student while minimizing the risk of transmission to others.
   
   
3. DEFINITIONS
   1. "Communicable disease" means illness due to a specific infectious agent or its products which arises through transmission of that agent or its products from a reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly, as from an infected person or animal, or indirectly, through an intermediate plant or animal host, vector, or the inanimate environment.
   2. “Exclusion” means denying admission of an ill child or staff member to school or asking them to leave if they are already present. 
   3. “Reportable events” means instances of diseases that are required to be reported to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services as listed in Utah Administrative Rules R386-702-3.
      
      
4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
   1. When a student is suspected of having a communicable disease, the school principal shall immediately notify the school nurse, who will then consult with the District Nurse Supervisor and/or Weber-Morgan Health Department to take appropriate action as required by state law.
      1. A school nurse or school administrator must report to the local health department information related to a reportable event.
      2. School personnel shall report diseases and health events in  writing to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services or to the local health department as required by Utah Administrative Rules R386-702-3 and R386-702-
      3. Certain diseases and events must be reported by telephone immediately upon discovery, as well as in writing. Each report should include the name of the student afflicted, age, sex, address, date of onset, and such other information as prescribed by the Department of Health and Human Services. If available, the report form supplied by the Department of Health and Human Services should be used.
      4. Reports made by school personnel are confidential, but full assistance shall be given to attending physicians or public health workers.
         
         
5. EXCLUSIONS FROM SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR STUDENTS
   1. Decisions regarding whether a student must be excluded from school will be made in consultation with the District School Nurse Supervisor in accordance with the most recent recommendations from the Americans Academy of Pediatrics publication “Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools” and/or at the direction of the local health officers or an official of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
   2. Re-Admittance. Students excluded from attendance for reasons of communicable disease shall be readmitted in consultation with the District School Nurse Supervisor and in accordance with the recommendations from Americans Academy of Pediatrics publication “Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools.”
      
      
6. PLACEMENT IN EMPLOYMENT
   1. Decisions regarding the type of employment setting for an infected employee shall be based on the behavior, neurological development, and physical condition of the employee and the expected type interaction with others in employment in that setting. 
   2. The employee's physician, an employee's representative if desired, and those persons of the District involved with the proposed employment setting shall be considered an evaluation team to be consulted to assist in weighing the risks and benefits to both the infected employee and to others in the employment setting.
   3. Each case involving an infected employee shall be considered on an individual basis and final determinations shall be subject to grievance procedures as provided by employee contracts.
      
      
7. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
   1. The transmission of infectious diseases may be prevented or deterred if students and District employees adhere to basic principles of good personal hygiene, cleanliness, and recommended use of any necessary personal protective measures. 
   2. Caretakers of a student with communicable diseases will be informed about the student's condition and educated about the possible modes of transmission of the student's disease.
   3. Caretakers will practice good hygiene techniques, including a thorough hand washing after exposure to a student's secretions and before caring for another student.  Disposable gloves and gowns will be provided to caretakers in direct contact with a student with communicable diseases who has open lesions or uncontrolled secretions.  Any caretakers with open cuts or lesions on their hands must wear gloves when working with students with communicable diseases.
   4. Cleanliness and avoidance of a person with communicable disease’s secretions are the best prevention.
   5. Soiled surfaces will be promptly cleaned with disinfectants.  Mops and other cleaning equipment must be rinsed with disinfectant.  Whenever possible, disposable towels and tissues will be used. 
      
      
8. RIGHT TO PRIVACY
   1. There is potential for social isolation and social stigma should an employee or student’s communicable disease become known to the general public.  District personnel and others involved in educating and caring for the student will respect the right to privacy and need for confidentiality.  Additionally, District personnel and others involved in the employee’s employment setting will respect the employee’s right to privacy and need for confidentiality.  The employee or student's records will be kept confidential.  The number of District personnel who will be in contact with the employee or student and informed of their condition will be kept at the minimum needed to assure proper care of the student and to detect and avoid situations where the potential for transmission of the disease may increase (i.e. a bleeding injury or open lesions).
   2. District employees with a communicable disease have a right to confidentiality and access to employment as well as other rights, privileges, and services provided by federal and state laws.

Revised: 12/05/2024