3414 – Infectious Diseases
In order to safeguard NWESD 189 cooperative program communities from the spread of certain communicable diseases, the Special Programs Director will implement procedures assuring that all program sites are in compliance with State Board of Health rules and regulations regarding the presence of persons who have or have been exposed to infectious diseases deemed dangerous to the public health. Such procedures will also prescribe the steps to remove the danger to others.
The NWESD 189 will require that the parent/guardian complete a medical history form at the beginning of each year. The program nurse may use this information to advise the parent/guardian of the need for further medical attention and to plan for potential health problems in cooperative programs.
The program administrators are authorized to exclude a student who has been diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider (LHP) or is suspected of having an infectious disease in accordance with the regulations within the most current Infectious Disease Control Guide for School Staff provided by the Department of Health. The program administrator or designee will report the presence of suspected case or cases of reportable communicable disease to the appropriate local health authority as required by the State Board of Health. The NWESD 189 and its staff will treat all such information concerning a student’s present and past health condition as confidential. The program administrator will cooperate with the local health officials in the investigation of the source of the disease.
The fact that a student has been tested for a sexually transmitted infection, the test result, any information relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection and any information regarding drug or alcohol treatment for a student must be kept strictly confidential. If the NWESD 189 receives authorization to release information, the NWESD 189 may disclose information pursuant to the restrictions in the release.
A program administrator has the authority to send an ill child home without the concurrence of the local health officer, but if the disease is reportable, the NWESD 189 must notify the local health officer. The local health officer is the primary resource in the identification and control of infectious disease in the community and program. The local health officer, in consultation with the Superintendent or designee, can take whatever action deemed necessary to control or eliminate the spread of disease, including closing a student program.
First Reading: 01/27/93 (as 6460)
Second Reading: 02/24/93 (as 6460)
Revised: 04/25/01 (recodified 3414)
Revised: 09/26/07
Revised: 09/27/18
Revised: 10/28/20
Revised: 08/25/25
Reference:
RCW 28A.210.010
RCW 28A.310.180
RCW 28A.310.210
RCW 70.02
RCW 70.24.290
Ch. 246-110-WAC
Date Revised: 8/25/25