HIV INFECTION
(HIV is not technically a communicable disease since it is not spread by casual contact.)
The following guidelines apply to students known to be infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This includes students with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); AIDS Related Complex (ARC), and students who are diagnosed by their physicians as being infected with HIV. These students shall be referred to as HIV infected students in the following guidelines:
I. It is the goal of the school district for all infected students to be able to attend school and participate in an unrestricted setting so long as such participation does not create imminent danger to the student or other individuals in the school setting. However, exceptions may be made for pre-school age children and students with impairments resulting in the lack of control of body secretions, displays of behavior such as biting, or students having oozing lesions. The need for a restrictive environment will be assessed on a regular basis.
II. A team approach will be used to determine the most appropriate educational setting for such student. Team members should include: parent/guardian of minor child, either public health personnel or community health personnel, a social services representative (if needed), a physician appointed by the board of education, the school nurse, the superintendent of schools, the director of special services, the school principal, a representative of the board of education, a faculty representative, the student's personal physician (two different physicians must be on the team), and the school guidance counselor.
III. The superintendent of schools can recommend temporary exclusion from school until the team (refer to Paragraph 2) has met. The school will provide homebound instruction as appropriate. Failure of parents or guardian to sign a release of information to the school district regarding the student's HIV infection, tests performed, and current health, will cause the use of emergency exclusion as set forth in this policy and Nebraska Statute 79-264 R.R.S.
IV. HIV infected students, who are attending this school district and participating in school activities, shall be required to report to the school nurse on a regular basis, the time interval to be determined by the two physicians on the team. This is to protect said student from other infections because of the possibility of his or her decreased immune resistance.
V. Hygiene instruction shall be provided for those with direct exposure with the HIV infected student in order to protect said student and those having direct contact with the infected student.
VI. The HIV infected student's right to privacy will be preserved by all staff members involved in the care and education of said student. The school district will develop administrative procedures for staff contact with HIV infected students, confidentiality of records, and information released to parents, students and school employees.
VII. Efforts will be made to educate parents, students, school personnel, and district patrons about HIV infections.
