JULY 10, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M. JULY 10, 2008 AT 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT FORD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT
MEL HARRIS
MARK SMITH
JOHN C. BURNS
RICKY REESE
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
ABSENT: CYNTHIA A. GILLESPIE OUT OF TOWN
ROBERT PYNES OUT OF TOWN
GENE HAYMON OUT OF TOWN
COL. DAVID G. SAGE MILITARY OBLIGATION
There was also present Jackie D. Self, Assistant Superintendent.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Mel Harris.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Burns.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve minutes of the June 18, 2008 special called meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by John Burns, the Board voted to receive bids for propane for Evans High School, Simpson High School, and Hicks High School. Bids were received as follows:
Amerigas $2.34.9 per gallon
Shawson $2.59 per gallon
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to accept the low bid from Amerigas for $2.34.9 per gallon. This bid includes the tanks.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to receive bids for document camera/projectors. One bid was received as follows:
Troxell $578.00 per camera
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to take this bid under advisement.
On motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by Ricky Reese, the Board voted to advertise for bids for reach-in freezers for schools.
On motion of John Burns, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to approve the following mandated policy changes and/or additions:
ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS
It is the intent of the Vernon Parish School Board to maintain a safe and healthy educational environment in school buildings, on school campuses, and at school-sponsored functions and activities. School administrators, teachers, volunteers, and other school personnel, however, cannot guarantee that the school environment will be free of illness or accidents.
The Vernon Parish School Board shall attempt to provide appropriate and reasonable care of students when they become ill or injured. Any treatment rendered should be in accordance with the severity of the illness or injury. When a child becomes seriously sick at school or is seriously injured in an accident, the principal or his/her designee shall be responsible for immediately contacting the parents. If the principal or designee is unable to contact the parents, he/she shall attempt to contact the familys primary care provider as noted on the Health Information form submitted by the parents at the beginning of the school year. The principal or designee shall also attempt to contact the person listed as the emergency contact on the Health Information form.
If treatment is deemed urgent and the primary care provider is not immediately available for consultation, the principal shall call 911 or its equivalent. School personnel shall remain with the child until emergency medical personnel arrive to treat the ill or injured student. If emergency medical personnel deem it necessary to transport the student to a medical facility, school personnel may accompany the student.
Neither the School Board nor the school shall assume any liability for the treatment of a student.
Principals shall notify the Superintendent of all serious accidents to pupils whether they occur on the school grounds, on the school bus, on field trips or during any other student activity.
To facilitate the rendering of health services, the School Board shall require the parent/legal guardian to submit properly completed standardized school health forms as enumerated in Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741.
No medication shall be administered to any student unless written permission from parents has been granted, and only in accordance with Board policy JGCD, Administration of Medication.
FIRST AID
Generally, treatment of injuries should be limited to the rendering of first aid. First aid is that immediate help given by the best qualified person at hand in case of accidents or sudden illness. At least one person at each school shall have had basic training in first aid. A master first aid kit shall be kept and properly maintained in each school. For more serious injuries, trained medical personnel should be summoned to assist with such injuries as needed.
New policy: June, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
SCHOOL CENSUS
The Vernon Parish School Board shall require an annual school census of school-age children based on the information obtained from the public schools under the jurisdiction of the School Board. A base student membership count shall be conducted in accordance with Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) guidelines on such student count dates designated in the annually adopted Minimum Foundation Program Formula.
All students included for membership in school shall be identified with the following required identification elements: state identification number, full legal name, date of birth, sex, race, district and school code, entry date, and grade placement. Principals shall be responsible for assuring the data submitted on each student enrolled in school is accurate and up-to-date.
New policy: June, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat Ann. '17:225; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28-Education (BESE), §1107.
SUPERINTENDENT QUALIFICATIONS
The Vernon Parish School Board shall elect a Superintendent for the school system who has met or has been certified as meeting the requirements for superintendency certification as set by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Additional qualifications may be stipulated by the Board.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum criteria required for superintendency certification are the following:
A. Hold a valid Louisiana Level 2 Educational Leader Certificate.
B. Have had five (5) years of successful administrative or management experience in education at the level of principal or above, or experience certified as equivalent to any of these by BESE.
C. Hold an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
D. Have completed forty-eight (48) semester hours of graduate credit, to include the following:
1. Thirty (30) semester hours in educational administration and supervision of instruction;
2. Twelve (12) semester hours in professional education; and
3. Six (6) semester hours of electives from cognate fields outside professional education related to educational administration and supervision in business, political science, psychology, sociology, or speech.
E. After August 15, 2003, for initial certification as a Superintendent, shall have satisfactorily passed the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) as approved by BESE in keeping with state requirements.
certification endorsement required to serve as a school system superintendent or assistant superintendent is the Louisiana Education Leader Certificate Level 3 (Superintendent), which is valid for five (5) years and is renewable every five (5) years, based upon successful completion and verification of required learning units.
1. Eligibility Requirements
a. Valid Louisiana Level 2 Educational Leader certificate or one of the Louisiana administrative/supervisory certifications that preceded the 2006 Educational Leadership Certification structure;
b. Five (5) years of teaching experience in his/her area of certification;
c. Five (5) years of successful administrative or management experience in education at the level of assistant principal or above. The assistant principal experience would be limited to a maximum of two (2) years of experience in that position; and
d. Passing score on the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA), in keeping with state requirements.
2. Renewal Requirements: For purposes of maintaining a valid endorsement, holders of an Educational Leader Level 3 endorsement are required to complete 150 continuing learning units of professional development consistent with the Individual Professional Growth Plan (IPGP) over a five year time period. The starting date of the five year cycle depends on the type of teaching certificate that the individual holds.
a. If an individual holds a Louisiana Professional Teaching Certificate Level 3, then the renewal date is tied to the renewal date on the professional teaching certificate.
b. If an individual does not hold a Louisiana Professional Teaching Certificate Level 3, but does hold an Educational Leader Level 2 endorsement, then the renewal date is tied to the renewal data that is in use for the previous Educational Leader endorsement.
c. If an individual holds neither a Louisiana Professional Teaching Certificate Level 3, nor an Educational Leader Level 2 endorsement, then the renewal time period begins with the date of issue of the Educational Leader Level 3 endorsement.
Applicants for the position of Superintendent shall be required to provide assurance that certification for the position is current and valid.
Revised: August, 2003 Revised: June, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:7.1, 17:54; Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel, Bulletin 746, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-4-03.
INVENTORIES
FIXED ASSETS
The Vernon Parish School Board directs the Superintendent to maintain a current itemized list of all land, buildings, improvements other than buildings, equipment, and any other general fixed assets which were purchased or otherwise acquired, for which the Board shall be is accountable.
The property control system shall include a list for reporting purposes of all fixed assets with a value of $5,000 or more in the district including all items purchased or donated to the school district. Items purchased with funds identified by the state as 8(g) funds, valued at $250 or more, shall also be classified as fixed assets and included in the fixed asset records. The list shall include information as to the date of purchase of the property or equipment, the initial cost, and the disposition, if any, and the purpose of such disposition and the recipient of the property or equipment disposed of. For property secured before January 1, 1980 for which exact costs cannot be obtained, the estimated value shall be used. Where ascertaining the cost, exact selling price or any other relevant information on property or equipment is not available, estimates may be provided. Inventory records shall be managed and maintained in accordance with Board procedures.
The list shall be kept current and shall be made available to the legislative auditor at the time of his/her examination or at any such time as the auditor may request.
An inventory audit shall be made annually and shall be as comprehensive as deemed necessary to assure that all fixed assets are properly accounted.
For accountability and internal control purposes, an inventory of equipment and other items costing less than $5,000 may also be inventoried, tagged, and tracked by the School Board.
Physical Inventory
In order to maintain an accurate account of Vernon Parish School Board possessions, a physical inventory of all possessions is to be taken at the building level at least annually, but may be more frequent as needed. Principals are the designated custodians of all possessions at the school level and shall be ultimately responsible for the safeguarding and record maintenance of all possessions in their schools. However, any employee who has physical custody of School Board assets shall be personally responsible for safeguarding the assets, i.e., each teacher shall be responsible for his/her classroom, the librarian for the assets in the library, the band director for the assets in the band department, etc.
Building level administrators shall be responsible for ensuring that annual inventories are taken and that the property control officer is notified of any changes that need to be made to their respective inventory records or reported as required. The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall maintain pertinent procedures for maintaining inventory and tracking records, including, identifying, appraising, tagging, and removing fixed assets from any inventory records.
TEXTBOOK INVENTORIES
The School Board and each school shall keep an inventory record of all textbooks on hand at the beginning of the session, as well as records of those textbooks added, worn out, and in need of replacement. Textbook records should be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years.
All lost or damaged books must be paid for by the student to which the books have been assigned. Money received by a principal for lost or damaged books must be recorded and deposited into the school account.
Revised: June, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 24:515; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, State Textbook Adoption Policy and Procedure Manual, Bulletin 1794, Louisiana Accounting and Uniform Governmental Handbook, Bulletin 1929, Louisiana Department of Education.
SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
The Vernon Parish School Board may be required to make available to parents of eligible children in schools identified in school improvement, opportunities for higher academic achievement through the offering of supplemental educational services (SES).
Supplemental educational services (SES) are additional academic instruction in reading, language arts/English, and/or mathematics that are designed to increase the academic achievement of students in schools in need of improvement. These services may include academic assistance such as tutoring, remediation and other educational interventions that are consistent with the content and instruction used by the Vernon Parish School Board, and which are aligned with the State of Louisianas academic content standards. In keeping with provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001(NCLB), all supplemental educational services shall be provided outside of the regular school day, before or after school, on weekends, or in the summer, and shall be of high quality, research-based, and specifically designed to increase student academic achievement.
School Boards with schools in their second year of school improvement shall be required to offer supplemental educational services as part of their school improvement efforts. The School Board shall be required to notify parents of the need to offer SES, to explain the process, to define the scope of services, and to select agencies to offer these services, and identify eligible low-achieving students.
Identification shall include a determination of which students should receive services when all students cannot be served.
Supplemental educational services shall be offered until the school in question is no longer identified for school improvement according to the requirements of NCLB.
All supplemental educational services, assessments of eligible students, and responsibilities of the School Board and SES providers shall be in accordance with regulations outlined in Bulletin 124, Supplemental Educational Services.
New policy: June, 2008
Ref: 20 USC 6316 (Elementary and Secondary Education Act); No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Section 1116; Louisiana School, District, and State Accountability System, Bulletin 111, Supplemental Educational Services, Bulletin 124, Louisiana Department of Education.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH CARE CENTERS
In order to provide adequate health care and services to students, the Vernon Parish School Board may authorize the establishment of student health care centers in the schools of the parish. Any health clinic established shall be supervised by a school nurse, who shall be licensed in accordance with state law. Health care centers shall provide services which include, but are not limited to the following: treatment of minor illness and injury, routine physical examinations, immunizations, referrals to alcohol and drug abuse prevention program counselors, and mental health services. No student shall receive any type of service unless the Parent/Legal Guardian Consent Form has required standardized school health forms as outlined in Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741 have been signed, returned to school, and have been filed in the clinic.
HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
The School Board, during the first semester of the school year, or within thirty (30) days after the admission of students entering school late in the session, shall test the sight, including color screening for all first grade students, and hearing of students according to the schedule outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, except those students whose parents or guardians may object to such tests. Students may also be tested upon referral or requests of teachers and/or parents.
A record of such examination shall be kept and the administrators shall be required to follow up on the deficiencies within sixty (60) days, and shall notify in writing the parent or tutor of every pupil found to have any defect of sight or hearing. A written report of all such examinations shall be made to the state superintendent of education but shall not be made available to the public.
TESTING FOR DYSLEXIA
Upon the request of a parent, student, school nurse, classroom teacher, or other school personnel who has reason to believe that a student has a need to be tested for dyslexia, that student shall be referred to the school building level committee for additional testing. The Board may provide for additional training for school nurses to aid in identifying dyslexic students.
For purposes of this policy, dyslexia shall be defined as difficulty with the alphabet, reading, reading comprehension, writing, and spelling in spite of adequate intelligence, exposure, and cultural opportunity.
OTHER HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
The School Board acknowledges that only properly trained personnel shall make recommendations regarding certain health issues of students.
The School Board shall prohibit, in accordance with statutory provisions, any teacher employed by the Board from recommending that a student be administered a pyschotropic drug, specifying or identifying any specific mental health diagnosis for a student, or using a parent's or guardian's refusal to consent to the administration of a psychotropic drug to a student or to a psychiatric evaluation, screening, or examination of a student as grounds for prohibiting the student from attending any class or participating in any school-related activity or as the sole basis of accusations of child abuse or neglect against the parent or guardian.
The provisions of the above paragraph shall not be construed so as to prohibit any of the following:
(1) An employee of the School Board who is a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, or an appropriately credentialed mental health professional or teacher from recommending that a student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner.
(2) A teacher or other certified employee of the School Board from suggesting a student be assessed or evaluated by qualified employees of the School Board who perform such function.
(3) A teacher assessing or evaluating any element of a student's academic readiness, performance, or achievement.
(4) Any employee of the School Board from discussing any aspect of a student's behavior or academic progress with the student's parent or guardian or any other employee of the School Board.
Definitions
Psychotropic drug shall mean a substance that is used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication and is intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior.
Teacher, for purposes of this section of the policy, shall mean any person employed by the School Board, who, as a condition of employment, is required to hold a valid teaching certificate issued by the Louisiana Department of Education and any person employed by the School Board as a substitute teacher.
ADMINISTERING CATHETERS
The School Board does shall not require any employee other than a registered nurse or a licensed medical physician to catheterize any student until all of the following conditions have been met:
(1) A registered nurse or licensed medical physician, employed by the Board, has assessed the health status of the specific child in his/her specific educational setting. The registered nurse has determined that the procedure could be safely performed, the results are predictable and could be delegated to someone other than a registered nurse following documented training.
(2) The registered nurse or licensed medical physician shall train at least two (2) employees to catheterize the specific child in his/her educational setting. The employees shall be given not less than eight (8) hours of training in the area of catheterization of students.
(3) Following the training provided for in #2, no catheterization may be performed unless prescribed in writing by a licensed medical physician. The employee, other than the registered nurse or licensed medical physician, shall be required to complete, under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, a minimum of five (5) catheterizations. Upon one hundred percent successful completion of these catheterizations, the registered nurse or licensed medical physician and the trainee shall sign a standard form indicating that the trainee has attained the prescribed level of competency. A copy of this form shall be kept on file by the school system.
(4) Individuals who are required to perform catheterizations and have been trained according to statutory provisions, may not decline to perform such service except as exempted by a licensed medical physician or a registered nurse. The reasons for such exemption shall be documented and certified by the licensed medical physician or a registered nurse within seventy-two (72) hours.
(5) Any employee shall have the right to request that another School Board employee be present while catheterizing the student, to serve as a witness to the procedure. After making such a request, the employee shall not be required to catheterize a student without such a witness.
The provisions of this part of the policy shall be restricted to those students who have had intermittent catheterization prescribed as a treatment for urinary or neurologic dysfunction and not for continuous bladder drainage or to obtain urine specimens for diagnostic purposes. No employee shall be requested to catheterize any student for continuous bladder drainage or to obtain urine specimens for diagnostic purposes.
PERFORMING NONCOMPLEX HEALTH PROCEDURES
The term noncomplex health procedure shall mean a task which is safely performed according to exact directions, with no need to alter the standard procedure, and which yields predictable results. It shall include the following:
(1) Modified activities of daily living which require special instruction such as toileting/diapering, bowel/bladder training, toilet training, oral/dental hygiene, lifting/positioning, and oral feeding.
(2) Health maintenance procedures such as postural drainage, percussion, tracheostomy and oral pharyngeal suctioning, gastrostomy feeding and monitoring of these procedures.
(3) Screenings such as growth, vital signs, hearing, vision, and scoliosis.
The School Board does shall not require any employee other than a registered nurse, licensed medical physician, or an appropriate licensed health professional to perform noncomplex health procedures until all the following conditions have been met:
(1) A registered nurse or a licensed medical physician and, when appropriate, another licensed health professional employed by the Board, has assessed the health status of the specific child in his/her specific educational setting and has determined that, according to the legal standards of the respective licensed health professional performing such procedure, the procedure can be safely performed, the results are predictable, and the procedure can be delegated to someone other than a licensed health professional following documented training.
(2) The registered nurse or the licensed medical physician and, when appropriate, another licensed health professional shall train, in his or her area of expertise, at least two (2) such employees to perform noncomplex health procedures on the specific child in his/her educational setting. The employees shall be given not less than four (4) hours of training in the area of noncomplex health procedures.
(3) Following the training provided for in #2, no noncomplex health procedure, except screenings and activities of daily living such as toileting/diapering, toilet training, oral/dental hygiene, oral feeding, lifting, and positioning may be performed unless prescribed in writing by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state of Louisiana or an adjacent state.
The employee, other than the registered nurse, licensed medical physician, or appropriate licensed health professional shall be required to complete, under the direct supervision or coordination of a registered nurse, a minimum of three (3) satisfactory demonstrations. Upon satisfactory completion of these noncomplex health procedures, the registered nurse, licensed medical physician, or appropriate licensed health professional and the trainee shall sign a standard form indicating that the trainee has attained the prescribed level of competency. A copy of this form shall be kept on file by the school system.
(4) Individuals who are required to perform noncomplex health procedures and have been trained according to the provisions of this Section may not decline to perform such service at the time indicated except as exempted for reasons as noted by the licensed medical physician or registered nurse. The reasons for such exemption shall be documented and certified by the licensed medical physician or a registered nurse within seventy-two (72) hours.
(5) An employee shall have the right to request that another Board employee be present while he/she is performing noncomplex health procedures for a student, to serve as a witness to the procedure. After making such a request, the employee shall not be required to perform noncomplex health procedures without such a witness.
The School Board shall provide the necessary safety equipment, materials, and supplies to each employee who performs noncomplex health procedures. Such safety equipment, materials, and supplies shall include but not be limited to gloves, anti-bacterial soaps and wipes, paper towels and masks.
For the purposes of this section of the policy, employee means any appropriate member of the education staff.
Revised: December, 1995 Revised: September, 2006
Revised: December, 1997 Revised: June, 2008
Revised: August, 2003
Ref: Irving Independent School District v. Tatro, 104 S.Ct. 33371 (1984); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''14:403, 40:31.3, 17:170, 17:435, 17:436, 17:436.2, 17:2112; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
The purpose of administering medication in the school setting is to assist students who require medicine during school hours to maintain an optimal state of health and therefore enhance and fulfill their educational program.
The intent of this policy is to assure safe administration of medicines in the school. The procedures contained herein apply to both prescription and non-prescription or over the counter medicines.
When possible, arrangements should be made for all medications to be given at home, before and after school. If medication is given no more frequently than three (3) times a day or every eight (8) hours, it can be given at home.
Written parental permission and a signed physician's, dentist's or other authorized prescriber's order shall be furnished to the school before any prescription or non-prescription medication shall be dispensed. Non-prescription medication shall be given at home unless there is a written statement from the student's authorized prescriber stating it is necessary to be given at school.
The Vernon Parish School Board and the school nurse shall not be responsible for any non-prescription medication administered to any student without a written authorized prescriber's order.
The designated school personnel administering medications shall request a copy of drug information from the pharmacist, the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) or from the school nurse for each medication being administered so that he or she will be familiar with the common side-effects and precautions for each medication.
Medications shall be stored in a locked cabinet or drawer. Medication requiring refrigeration shall be refrigerated in a secure area. Exceptions are as noted in Students with Chronic Illnesses, below.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
The principal of each school, or designee, usually the school secretary, may administer medications to students during school hours under the Vernon Parish School Board guidelines and under the overall supervision of the registered nurse assigned to that school.
All persons administering medications in the school shall be inserviced by the registered nurse assigned to that school regarding the Vernon Parish School Board medication policies and procedures. These persons shall be observed by the school nurse at least annually in the administration of medications. There shall be at least one trained back-up person to administer medications when the designee is absent from work.
Documentation
Each school shall use a daily log form on which to record the date and time a medication is given and the initials of the person administering it. This form shall be kept at the site where the medicine is actually given. It shall be easily accessible to facilitate recordings.
The school nurse or designee shall record each dose of medication administered at school. The person who is delegated to give medication shall be instructed in the proper way to record medications given.
All log sheets shall be kept on file in the individual schools until the end of each school year. At that time, they shall be turned in to the school nurse to be filed in the School Health office for future reference. The log sheets shall be kept on file for a period of five (5) years.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATION
Administering medication to a student can be fraught with legal problems, administrative complications, and adverse side effects. For this reason, only medications that are deemed necessary by the student's other authorized prescriber to be administered during school hours shall be administered at school. No medication shall be allowed in the parish public school system unless prescribed, as noted on the Medication Order by a physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber, and submitted by the parent/legal guardian.
Long-Term Medications:
A written statement shall be required (annually).
1. From the physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber, who shall indicate the name of the medication, the route, the dosage, frequency and time of administration, the reason the medication needs to be given (diagnosis), possible side effects, and termination date. The parent or guardian must obtain an administration of medicine permit submit a Medication Order to be filled out by the authorized prescriber. These will be kept on file at school.
2. From the parent, who shall request and authorize sign and submit the Medication Order to the school to give the medication in the dosage prescribed by the physician. The parent or guardian shall co-sign the form authorizing administration of medications by the school. The parent or guardian must notify the school of any changes in medication type, time, or dosage. A new form Medication Order must be obtained to reflect these changes.
3. The parent/guardian or designated adult shall be responsible for bringing to the school any medication that is required to be administered at school, including prescription and non-prescription medications. No more than a twenty-five (25) day supply of medication for the student may be kept at school.
4. In the presence of the parent or adult who delivered the medication, the unlicensed trained school employee specifically designated to receive the medication for the student shall verify the label with the order on file.
Both the employee and the parent/adult shall count the number of tablets received and sign the medication log to document the amount, date and time of delivery.
Short-Term Medications: Over the counter or prescribed for less than two (2) weeks.
1. A written statement Medication Order shall be required upon initiation of medication from the physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber and parent as outlined under Long-Term Medications.
Injectable Medications:
Injectable medications shall not be given at school except in an emergency situation. There must be written instructions (Physicians Authorizing for Special Health Care) from a physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber; there must be written permissions from the parent or legal guardian for the procedure; and the injection must be given by appropriately trained personnel and under the supervision of school personnel or the school nurse.
Administration of Medication Procedures:
1. A written order from a physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber licensed in Louisiana or an adjacent state shall be obtained and shall include:
a. Name of child
b. Name of medication
c. Reason for the medication (diagnosis)...that it is required to administer medication during school hours
d. The dosage route, and time it is to be given
e. Any special directions for administering the medication
f. Possible side-effects
g. The date medication should be stopped
2. A written statement from the parents or guardian shall be required, giving permission for the student to receive the medication in school, as prescribed by the physician.
3. A duplicate bottle of the medication shall be obtained, if possible. Parents should ask the pharmacist for duplicate bottles of the medication. One bottle should be kept at home, the other at school. Both bottles should contain the name of and telephone number of the pharmacist, student's ID, name of authorized prescriber, name of medication, dosage and times to be given, and the route of administration. The parent/guardian shall be responsible for sending a five (5) day supply of student's medication to school each week.
4. Any administration of medication in the schools shall be under the overall supervision of the school nurse who shall routinely review medication permits, physician's orders, and daily logs. The nurse shall also be responsible for inservicing school personnel on medication policies and procedures as needed on an on-call basis.
5. Procedure:
a. Check the label on the medication bottle to assure the correct medicine is given to the student.
b. Check the prescription to assure the proper dosage is given in the prescribed way.
c. Log in the date and time given and initial same on medication log sheet.
d. Make sure the designated school staff is aware of the potential benefits and side-effects of the medication being taken by the student.
1) This information may be obtained from the pharmacist, prescriber, PDR (Physician's Desk Reference), or school nurse.
2) Report any unusual reaction according to guidelines stated herein.
e. Watch for any student self-administering medication for which the school has no authorization. Report this to the student's parents, the school principal and the school nurse.
6. If a medication is lost, stolen, or spilled, or if the child refuses to take it or spits it out, a reasonable attempt will be made to reach the parents. If the parents cannot be reached, the school personnel shall not be held responsible. These particular situations must be documented and signed by the person(s) involved.
STUDENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES:
The above policies may be difficult to enforce strictly with students who have chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and asthma. (Those students who are reliable and require frequent medication or have been trained to administer their own medication may under certain circumstances retain their medications in their possession and administer same in rare circumstances. A Medication Order shall be submitted by the parent in all such cases.)
The guidelines for self administration are the same as with school administered medication. Any "as needed" medications, i.e. inhalers for asthmatics or prescribed needs for students with migraine headaches shall be kept at the designated central medication area and dispensed by school personnel unless there is authorized self-administration. There may be a rare exception when medication needs to be with child at all times, and such circumstances shall require a written statement from an authorized prescriber stating such. If the parent and the authorized prescriber agree that the student can be trusted with self-medication, permission of the principal must be obtained before the child self-administers medication.
GUIDELINES FOR ALLERGIC REACTIONS:
The school nurse acts as a liaison between parent, child and physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber; therefore, any noticed undesirable side-effects or lack of therapeutic effects shall be promptly reported to the school nurse and the student's parents or legal guardian.
An allergic reaction is a medical emergency that requires immediate action:
1. Procure emergency medical treatment authorization card for the student
2. Notify appropriate school personnel of emergency and obtain directive from same if time permits
3. Notify the student's parents or guardian and authorized prescriber as soon as possible for directives and of actions taken
4. If the allergic reaction is immediately life threatening and requires the student to be sent immediately to a medical facility, enact the 911 system when possible and transfer the student via ambulance to the designated facility. Transmitted with emergency personnel should be the student's health and allergy information including:
a. Suspected or known allergies
b. Medication that has been administered
5. Document the reaction through an accident report
6. Notify the school nurse as soon as possible. The school nurse shall follow up by assisting as appropriate in the emergency care of the student and by documenting for future reference the:
a. Medical intervention, any medication, resuscitation or hospitalization
b. Allergen/Medication that triggered the reaction
c. Medications prescribed
d. Any necessary follow up with the student/parent and/or school staff regarding the student's condition and health education pertaining to allergic reactions.
GUIDELINES FOR MEDICATIONS ERRORS:
A medication error is a potential medical emergency that requires immediate action. If a student is administered the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or medication at a wrong time especially sooner than prescribed:
1. The student shall be observed closely for any unusual reaction.
2. Procure the student's emergency medical treatment authorization card.
3. Notify the appropriate school personnel of the error and obtain directives from same.
4. Notify the student's parent or guardian and authorized prescriber as soon as possible for directives and actions taken.
5. If the error requires medical attention or any unusual reaction develops, send the student to the appropriate medical facility via parental transport or ambulance. The student's health and allergy information should be sent with the student, including the medication, dosage, and time of administration of the medication error.
6. Document the error through an accident report.
7. Notify the school nurse as soon as possible. The school nurse shall follow up by assisting as appropriate in the emergency care of the student and by documenting for future reference:
a. Medical intervention, any medications, resuscitation or outside medical care.
b. Any unusual reaction or sequelae from the error.
c. Any necessary follow up with the student/parent and or school staff regarding the student's condition and education pertaining to the error.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR FIELD TRIPS
Medication should be administered to students on field trips only when absolutely necessary.
1. Unlicensed trained school employees may administer medication to a student while on a field trip in accord with the student's medication administration plan.
2. Medication administered on field trips require all the documentation and conditions that any other medication at school requires.
3. Medication shall be transported in a proper pharmacy labeled container. Caution: Ritalin is a controlled substance and must be properly safeguarded.
4. A copy of the medication administration plan with emergency phone numbers including health care provider phone numbers shall accompany the child.
EARLY DISMISSAL OF SCHOOL
On days when schools are dismissed at or prior to noon, the school personnel shall not be responsible for administering midday medications.
STUDENT CONFIDENTIALITY
All student information shall be kept confidential. The parent/legal guardian shall be required to sign the Authorization for Release of Confidential Information form, so that health information can be shared between the School Board and health care providers, such as hospitals, physician, service agency, school nurse, and/or other health provider.
Revised: October, 1993
Revised: March, 1995
Revised: December, 1995
Revised: October, 2001
Revised: June, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:436.1; Louisiana Administrative Code, Vol. 18, Education (BESE), Section 929, Administration of Medication, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 1
On motion of Ricky Reese, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for an assistant principal at Anacoco Elementary School.
Guidelines for leased buses were discussed and the following guidelines were approved:
1. MAINTAIN BUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL POLICIES INCLUDING PROPER CARE, REPAIR AND INSPECTIONS.
2. PARK BUS IN LOCATION ASSIGNED BY THE BOARD. THIS INCLUDES BETWEEN RUNS, BOTH IN A.M. AND P.M. LEASE BUSES WILL NOT BE DRIVEN (DEADHEADED) MORE THAN FIVE (5) MILES (AS MEASURED BY THE SHORTEST ROUTE) AFTER A.M. OR P.M. ROUTES WITHOUT PRIOR BOARD APPROVAL.
3. DO NOT ALLOW USE OF BUS FOR ANY REASON (TO INCLUDE ATHLETIC & CO-CURRICULUM TRIPS SUCH AS LITERARY RALLY) OTHER THAN ASSIGNED DUTIES WITHOUT DIRECT WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR.
4. ALL LEASE BUS DRIVERS WILL MAINTAIN AN UP TO DATE LOG OF MILEAGE AND FUEL USEAGE FOR THEIR BUSES. A COPY OF THE CURRENT MONTHS LOG WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE BY THE 10th OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH.
5. FOLLOW ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD.
Mr. Travis reported that the Goals and Objectives Committee had met on this date and that the Goals and Objectives will be given to the full Board for their review on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. Approval of the final draft will be on the August 7, 2008 agenda.
Mr. Smith reported that the Salary/Personnel Committee had met and reviewed the personnel changes for July and would make its recommendation to the Board at the July 15, 2008 Board meeting. Mr. Smith also stated that as previously voted on, Keith Bush would be transferred to Mr. Ricky Kays position as Mr. Kay is now retired. Cell phones and radios were discussed and more information is required before a decision is made.
In other business, Mr. Randy Martin called a maintenance committee meeting for Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 9:00AM.
President Ford reported on the Board Presidents Monthly Call to Superintendent Pastorek and asked the Board members to call her if they had questions or concerns for her to speak with him about. President Ford also informed the Board that there were three candidates for the position of superintendent and that they would be called in alphabetical order to give a five minutes presentation before the Board on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. After the presentations, a superintendent will be named.
Superintendent Applicants: Tom Neubert, Jackie Self, Howell Wright
Mr. Self stated that revised school calendars were in Board folders and that the only change made was the testing dates changed by the State.
Memorial Resolutions: Dr. James Allain, Alton Hall, Ester Hollis, Beatrice Overton, Brenda Firesheets, Ronald Crump, Joseph Ellis
There being no further business, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
ATTEST
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JACKIE D. SELF, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT