DIRECT CONTACT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

DIRECT CONTACT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

po8453Adopted June 20, 2016Revised March 22, 2023

8453 - DIRECT CONTACT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

The Board seeks to provide a safe educational environment for students and staff. To this end, students and staff should understand the method of transmission and prevention of diseases that are contracted through direct contact with body fluids and excretions, especially blood, vomit, feces, or urine. The Board is also committed to assuring, to the extent permitted by State communicable disease reporting requirements, the confidential status of individuals who may have been diagnosed with a contact communicable disease.

For purposes of this policy, these diseases shall include:

  1. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);

  2. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome);

  3. AIDS related complex (condition);

  4. HAV, HBV, HCV (Hepatitis A, B, C);

  5. other diseases that may be specified by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) as contact communicable diseases.

The Board recognizes that individuals who have contracted these diseases may not exhibit symptoms for many years after exposure and may, in fact, not be aware that they have contracted the disease. They are, however, able to transmit the disease to other individuals.

The Board further directs the District Administrator to assure that students or staff who reveal the fact they have contracted one of these diseases will have their status safeguarded in accordance with Federal and State statutes dealing with confidentiality, their right to privacy and that their civil rights will be respected. Staff members will have access to District leave policies in accordance with Board policy; such individuals will also be provided reasonable accommodation as required by the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should a student be unable to attend school as a result of illness, an alternative education program shall be provided in accordance with the Board's policy and dealing with Homebound Instruction.

The District Administrator shall also report communicable diseases and any removal from the school setting of students or staff suspected of having a communicable disease to appropriate authorities as provided under State law.

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