In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases and in recognition that prevention is a means of combating the spread of disease, the Board requires a student to present evidence of having been immunized against the following diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, mumps, tetanus, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), pneumococcal (PCV) and varicella. A student satisfies the measles requirement upon a Health Care Practitioner's ("HCP") verification that the student has had measles (rubeola). A student satisfies the varicella requirement upon verification from a HCP of the date and/or age that the student had chicken pox.
Immediately upon enrollment in the District a certificate of immunization status, distributed by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), shall be completed by the student's parent. The certificate shall be made a part of the student's permanent record.
If a student has not received any or all of the required immunizations, they shall submit evidence of the initiation of an immunization schedule and be placed in a "conditional admittance" category. If a child in conditional status is more than one month overdue for an immunization, they are to be excluded from school. Failure to maintain the schedule or submit documentation shall be sufficient cause to exclude the student from school.
Exemptions from one or more vaccines shall be granted for medical reason upon certification by a HCP that there is a medical reason for not administering the vaccine. Exemptions for personal reasons will be granted upon request of the parent. To request an exemption, a parent or guardian must submit a signed written certification that the parent/guardian has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child. Forms must include a statement to be signed by a HCP stating that they provided the parent/guardian with information about the benefits and risks of immunization to the child. The form may be signed by a HCP at any time prior to the enrollment of the child in a school. Photocopies of the signed form or a letter from the HCP will be accepted in lieu of the original form.
Exemptions for religious reasons will be granted upon request of the parent. Any parent or legal guardian of the child who exempts the child due to religious beliefs is not required to have a form from a HCP if the parent or legal guardian demonstrates membership in a religious body or a church in which the religious beliefs or teachings of the church preclude a HCP from providing medical treatment to the child.
The permanent file of students with exemptions shall be marked for easy identification should the department of health order that exempted students be excluded from school temporarily during an epidemic.
If proof of immunization or a certificate of exemption is not received upon the student's enrollment in school, the principal shall provide written notice to the parents or guardians informing them of:
- the immunization requirements;
- the denial of further attendance by the student;
- the procedural due process rights; and
- the immunization services that are available.
Following proper notification, the school shall exclude the student for noncompliance with the immunization laws pursuant to the appeal process procedures for student expulsions. Parents shall have a right to a hearing provided they notify the school within 3 days after receiving the exclusion order from the school principal. If the parent requests a hearing, the parent or guardian and school principal shall be notified in writing of the time and place for the hearing and shall present the case to a hearing officer appointed by the Superintendent.
Life-Threatening Health Conditions:
Prior to attendance at school, each child with a life-threatening health condition shall present a medication or treatment order addressing the condition. A life-threatening health condition means a condition that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order providing authority to a registered nurse and nursing plan are not in place. Following submission of the medication or treatment order, a nursing plan shall be developed.
Students who have a life-threatening health condition and no medication or treatment order presented to the school shall be excluded from school, to the extent that the District can do so consistent with federal requirements for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and pursuant to the following due process requirements:
- Written notice to the parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis delivered to the parents in person or by certified mail.
- Notice of the applicable laws, including a copy of the laws and rules.
- The order that the student shall be excluded from school immediately and until a medication or treatment order is presented.
- Describe the rights of the parents and student to a hearing, the hearing process and explain that the exclusion continues until the medication or treatment plan is presented or the hearing officer determines that the student should no longer be excluded from school.
- If the parents request a hearing, the District shall schedule one within three school days of receiving the request, unless more time is requested by the parents.
- The hearing process shall be consistent with the procedures established for disciplinary cases pursuant to Chapter 180-40 WAC.
Cross References:
Board Policy 2161 Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students
Board Policy 2173 Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Legal References:
RCW 28A.210 Health: Screening and Requirements
Ch 101, Laws of 2002 Children with Life-Threatening Health Conditions
WAC 392-380 Public school pupils -- Immunization requirement and life-threatening health condition
WAC 392-182 Student - Health records
Adoption Date: June 23, 1998
Revised: July 21, 2003
Revised: January 8, 2007
Revised: October 24, 2011
Revised: November 23, 2015
