Code:  GBEB

Adopted:  9/25/17

Readopted: 1/14/25

 

The district shall provide reasonable protection against the risk of exposure to communicable disease for students and employees while engaged in the performance of their duties.  Reasonable protection from communicable disease is generally attained through immunization, exclusion or other measures as provided by Oregon law, by the local health department or in the Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools published by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

A student or employee may not attend school or work while in a communicable stage of a restrictable disease or when an administrator has reason to suspect that the student or employee has or has been exposed to any disease for which exclusion is required in accordance with law. If the disease is a reportable disease, the administrator will ensure that the occurrence is reported to the local health department. The district may provide an educational program in an alternative setting. Services will be provided to students as required by law.

Employees shall comply with all measures adopted by the district and with all rules set by Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, and the local health department.

The district shall protect the confidentiality of each student’s and employee’s health condition and record to the extent possible and consistent with federal and state law. In cases when a restrictable or reportable disease is diagnosed and confirmed for a student, the administrator may inform employees with a legitimate educational interest.

The district will include, as part of its general emergency plans, a description of the actions to be taken by district staff in buildings and by the district in response to medical emergencies.

END OF POLICY

                                                                                                                                                                           

Legal Reference(s):

ORS 332.107
ORS 431.150 to -431.157          
ORS 433.001 to -433.004
ORS 433.010
ORS 433.110
ORS 433.235 – 433.284
OAR 333-019-0010
OAR 333-019-0014
OAR 581-022-2220
OAR 581-022-2225

Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority, Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (2018); Family Educational Rights and Privacy, 34 C.F.R. Part 99 (2023).

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1320d to -1320d-8 (2018); 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 164 (2023).

Cross Reference(s):
EBC/EBCA - Emergency Procedures and Disaster Plans
 

 

Code: GBEB/JHCC-AR
Adopted: 1/3/07
Readopted: 4/1/25

In accordance with state law, administrative rule, the local health authority and the Communicable Disease Guidance, the procedures established below will be followed.

1. “Restrictable diseases” are defined by rule^[1] and include but are not limited to COVID-19, chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi infection, scabies, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, shigellosis and infectious tuberculosis, and may include a communicable stage of hepatitis B infection in a child who, in the opinion of the local health officer, poses an unusually high risk to other children (e.g., exhibits uncontrollable biting or spitting). Restrictable disease also includes any other communicable disease identified in an order issued by the Oregon Health Authority or the local public health officer as posing a danger to the public’s health.
2. “Susceptible” for a child means lacking documentation of immunization required under OAR 333-050-0050, or if immunization is not required, lacking evidence of immunity to the disease.
3. “Susceptible” for a school employee means lacking evidence of immunity to the disease.
4. “Reportable diseases” means a disease or condition, the reporting of which enables a public health authority to take action to protect or to benefit the public health.

Restrictable Diseases

1. A student or employee of the district will not attend school or work, respectively, at a district school or facility while in a communicable stage of a restrictable disease, unless authorized to do so under Oregon law. When an administrator has reason to suspect that a student or employee has a restrictable disease, the administrator shall send them home.
2. An administrator shall exclude a susceptible student or employee if the administrator has reason to suspect they have been exposed to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A, or hepatitis B, unless the local health officer determines that exclusion is not necessary to protect the public’s health. The administrator may request the local health officer to make a determination as allowed by law. If the disease is reportable, the administrator or designee may report the occurrence to the local health department.
3. A student or employee will be excluded in such instances until such time as the student or employee, respectively, presents a certificate from a physician, a physician assistant licensed under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 677.505 - 677.525, a nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 - 678.390, local health department nurse or school district nurse stating that the student or employee does not have or is not a carrier of any restrictable disease. An exclusion for chickenpox, scabies, staphylococcal skin infections, streptococcal infections, diarrhea or vomiting may be removed by a school nurse or health care provider.
4. More stringent exclusion standards for students or employees from school or work may be adopted by the local health department.

Reportable Diseases Notification

1. All employees shall comply with all reporting measures adopted by the district and with all rules set forth by Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division and the local health department.
2. An administrator may seek confirmation and assistance from the local health officer to determine the appropriate district response when the administrator is notified that an employee or student has been exposed to a restrictable disease which is also a reportable disease.
3. District staff with impaired immune responses, that are of childbearing age or some other medically fragile condition, should consult with a medical provider for additional guidance^[2].
4. An administrator shall determine other persons who may be informed of an employee’s communicable disease, or that of a student’s when a legitimate educational interest exists or for health and safety reasons, in accordance with law.

Equipment and Training

1. The administrator or designee shall determine what equipment and/or supplies are necessary in a particular classroom or other setting in order to prevent disease transmission.
2. The administrator or designee shall consult with the district’s  nurse or other appropriate health officials to provide special training in the methods of protection from disease transmission.
3. All district personnel will be instructed annually to use the proper precautions pertaining to blood and body fluid exposure per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

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[1] OAR 333-019-0010 lists restrictable diseases.

[2] Refer to Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools published by the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education.