Lewisburg Area School District Policies	Printable version
203.1 HIV Infection 203.1. HIV INFECTION The Board is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment for its students and employees. The purpose of this policy shall be to safeguard the health and well-being of students and staff while protecting the rights of the individual. This policy is based on current evidence that HIV Infection is not normally transmissible by infected individuals within the school setting, except as noted in this policy. AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV Infection - refers to the disease caused by the HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. Infected students - refers to students diagnosed as having HIV Infection, including those who are asymptomatic. This policy shall apply to all students in all programs conducted by the school district. The Board directs that the established Board policies and administrative regulations governing attendance and school rules relative to illnesses and other diseases among students shall also apply to infected students. The Board shall not require routine screening tests for HIV Infection in the school setting, nor will such tests be a condition for school attendance. The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for developing and releasing all information concerning HIV Infection and infected students. All district employees shall strive to maintain a respectful school climate and to prohibit physical or verbal harassment of any individual or group, including infected students. Building principals shall notify students, parents/guardians and employees about current Board policies concerning HIV Infection and shall provide reasonable opportunities to discuss the policy and related concerns. Attendance Infected students have the same right to attend school and receive services as other students and shall be subject to the same policies and administrative regulations. HIV Infection shall not factor into decisions concerning educational programs, privileges or participation in any school-sponsored activity. School authorities shall determine the educational placement of infected students on a case-by-case basis by following Board policies and administrative regulations established for students with chronic health problems and students with disabilities. When an infected student's parents/guardians voluntarily disclose information regarding the student's condition, the district employee who receives the information shall obtain the written consent of the parents/guardians to disclose the information to members of the Screening Team. A Screening Team comprised of the Superintendent or designee, building principal, school nurse, district physician (if available), student's parents/guardians, and attending physician shall evaluate the infected student's educational placement. Placement decisions shall be based on the student's need for accommodations or services. First consideration must be given to maintaining the infected student in a regular assignment. Any decision for an alternative placement must be supported by specific facts and data. An infected student who is unable to attend school, as determined by a medical examination, shall be considered for homebound instruction or an alternative placement. An infected student may be excused from school attendance if the parent/guardian seeks such excusal based on the advice of medical or psychological experts treating the student. An infected student's placement shall be reassessed if there is a change in the student's need for accommodations or services. Confidentiality District employees who have knowledge of an infected student's condition shall not disclose any information without prior written consent of the student's parents/guardians, consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act. All health records, notes and other documents referring to an infected student's condition shall be secured and kept confidential. Infection Control All employees shall be required to consistently follow infection control/universal precautions in all settings and at all times, including playgrounds and school buses. Employees shall notify the building principal and school nurse of all incidents of exposure to bodily fluids and when a student's health condition or behavior presents a reasonable risk of transmitting an infection. The school district shall maintain reasonably accessible equipment and supplies necessary for infection control. Staff Development The district shall provide opportunities for employees to participate in inservice education on HIV Infection. Designated district employees may receive additional, specialized training appropriate to their positions and responsibilities. Prevention Education The goals of HIV Infection prevention education shall be to promote healthy living and discourage the behaviors that put people at risk of acquiring HIV Infection. Prevention education shall be taught at the primary, intermediate, middle, and high school levels as part of the curriculum, be appropriate to students' developmental maturity, and include accurate information about reducing the risk of HIV Infection. Prior to HIV Infection instruction in the schools, the district shall inform parents/guardians that curriculum outlines and materials used in the instruction shall be available for review. A student shall be excused from HIV Infection education when the instruction conflicts with the religious beliefs or principles of the student or parents/guardians, upon the written request of the parents/guardians. References: School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1301, 1327, 1329, 1330, 1409 State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.4, 4.29, 11.25 PA Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act – 35 P.S. Sec. 7601 et seq. Board Policy – 103, 103.1, 105.1, 105.2, 117, 124, 203, 204, 248