The Board of Education upholds the rights of all students in the school district to learn and participate in school activities without being subjected to significant risks to their health. The Board recognizes the public concern over the health issues surrounding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV). The Board also recognizes, based upon the current state of medical knowledge, that the virus associated with AIDS is not easily transmitted and there is no evidence that AIDS or the HIV virus can be transmitted by casual social contact in the open school setting.
The Board acknowledges the rights of those students diagnosed as having AIDS or HIV infection to continue their education in the least restrictive environment. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Board that no student shall be denied the opportunity to attend school, continue his/her education or take part in school related activities solely on the basis of being diagnosed as having AIDS or HIV infection.
In accordance with current state law and regulations, it is also the policy of the Board to honor a student's right to medical confidentiality and to prevent any student from being subjected to adverse or discriminatory treatment or stigma because he or she has been diagnosed as having AIDS or being HIV-infected.
The Superintendent of Schools is hereby directed to develop administrative regulations in regard to the education of students diagnosed as having AIDS or being HIV-infected.
The Superintendent should consult public health officials and/or the school physician, as appropriate, for the most current methods and information pertaining to procedures commonly known as Universal Precautions and Prudent Avoidance for containment of blood borne pathogens. The Superintendent shall establish safety guidelines consistent with current standards.
The Superintendent shall also develop, and immediately implement and enforce, inservice education and training for all school personnel concerning AIDS and HIV infection and procedures to be followed in the case of all spills of blood and other body fluids. The Board expects that all school personnel shall comply with these same guidelines and routine sanitary hygiene procedures for dealing with all spills of blood and other body fluids in or on school premises and grounds or in school vehicles.
Cross-ref: 4315.1, AIDS Instruction
5420-R, Student Health Services Regulation
8123, Hygiene Precautions and Procedures
Ref: Public Health Law, Article 27-F
Education Law §§4401; 4401-a
8 NYCRR §200
10 NYC §63
Note: Policy added (replacing prior policies, Policy Manual, 1155; 5112)
Policy Adopted: January 29, 1997 Wayne Central School District
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