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.

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 his/her having been immunized against the following diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, mumps and tetanus. A student satisfies the measles requirement upon a physician's verification that the student has had measles (rubella).

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, he/she shall submit evidence of the initiation of an immunization schedule and be placed in a "conditional admittance" category. He/she may remain in school for one school year provided that there is documentation that the immunization schedule is being maintained. 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 physician that there is a medical reason for not administering the vaccine. Exemptions for personal or religious reasons shall be granted upon request of the parent. 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:

1. The immunization requirements,
2. The denial of further attendance by the student,
3. The procedural due process rights, and
4. The immunization services that are available.

Medical Evaluation and Immunization

1. Parents of preschool children shall be encouraged to arrange for medical and dental examinations of their child prior to kindergarten entrance.
2. Prior to entry in the seventh grade, tenth grade, or as a student new to the school district, it is recommended that all students arrange for a physical evaluation.

Adopted:
6/5/67

Revised:
3/15/76, 5/7/90

LEGAL REFS.:
RCW 28A.31.030 through 28A.31.142
WAC 180-38, generally
WAC 248-100-163
WAC 392-182, generally

CROSS REFS.:
Interscholastic Athletics (IGDJ)
School Admissions (JEC)
Physical Examinations/Immunization of Students (JHCA-R/JHCB-R)(regulation)
Administering Medicines to Students (JHCD-R)