8450 - CONTROL OF CASUAL CONTACT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

The Board recognizes that control of the spread of communicable disease through casual contact is essential to the well-being of the school community and to the efficient District operation.  The District will handle information regarding students and staff with suspected or confirmed communicable diseases confidentially in accordance with State and Federal laws and Board policies.

For purposes of this policy, "casual contact communicable disease" shall include:

1. diphtheria,
    
2. scarlet fever and other strep infections,
    
3. whooping cough,
    
4. mumps,
    
5. measles,
    
6. rubella, and
    
7. others designated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

In order to protect the health and safety of the students, District personnel, and the community at large, the Board shall follow all State statutes and Health Department regulations which pertain to immunization and other means for controlling casual contact communicable disease spread through normal interaction in the school setting.

Initial Exposure - Suspected Communicable Disease

If a student exhibits symptoms of a communicable disease, a teacher, school nurse, or the building Principal will isolate the student in the building and contact the parents and may choose to send the student home. The staff member shall contact the Columbia County Health Department to report the incident. The health department officials shall be responsible for conducting any investigation deemed necessary and directing the District to follow specific protocols, including those established by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The District Administrator is authorized to develop administrative guidelines for the control of communicable disease that include:

1. instruction of professional staff members in the detection of these common diseases and measures for their prevention and control;
    
2. removal of students from District property to the care of a responsible adult;
    
3. preparation of standards for the readmission of students who have recovered from casual contact communicable diseases;
    
4. filing of reports as required by statute and the DHS.

Protocols During a Pandemic/Epidemic

The procedure described above pertains to an initial and/or isolated identification of the possible presence of a communicable disease in a school. In the event of an ongoing pandemic or endemic outbreak of a communicable disease, the Administration and Board shall develop protocols to manage school during a pandemic or epidemic. See Policy 8420.01 – Epidemics and Pandemics.

1. Statewide declaration of emergency and related orders;
2. guidance provided by medical and/or public health officials, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS); Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI); American Pediatrics Association;
3. local health department officials and local medical professionals;
4. parent and/or student groups; and
5. other resources developed for and specific to the circumstances facing the District.

Revised 4/19/21

Revised 11/21/22

Revised 10/16/23

© Neola 2023