Definitions
Medications – For the purposes of this policy, medications include prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, including herbal preparations and vitamins. Medications also include substances that
claim or purport to be medicinal or performance enhancing.
Authorized Prescriber – Includes a healthcare provider licensed or otherwise authorized by state law
to prescribe medication.
General
The St. Charles R-VI School District is not legally obligated to administer medication to students
unless specifically included in a Section 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP).
However, the Board recognizes that some students may require medication for chronic or short-term
illnesses to enable them to remain in school and participate in the district's educational services. The
district prohibits students from possessing or self-administering medications while on district
grounds, on district transportation or during district activities unless explicitly authorized in
accordance with this policy. The superintendent, in collaboration with the district nursing staff, will
establish administrative procedures for storing and administering medications in compliance with
this policy and pursuant to state and federal law. Medications will only be administered at school
when it is not possible or effective for the student to receive the medication at home.
The administration of medications is a nursing activity that must be performed by or under the
supervision of a registered professional nurse. A registered professional nurse may delegate the
administration of medication to a licensed practical nurse or unlicensed personnel who are trained
by the nurse to administer medications. The registered professional nurse is responsible for
developing written procedures for training unlicensed personnel in the administration of medications
and for supervising the administration of medication by others. In accordance with law, any trained
or qualified employee will be held harmless and immune from civil liability for administering
medication in good faith and according to standard medical practices. A qualified employee is one
who has been trained to administer medication according to standard medical practices.
For all medications administered to students, the school nurse or designee must maintain thorough
documentation.
Nurses must use reasonable and prudent judgment to determine whether to administer particular
medications to students while also working in collaboration with parents/guardians and the school
administration. In carrying out their legal duty to protect the health, welfare and safety of students,
nurses will, when necessary, clarify authorized prescriber orders and respond in accordance with
such clarifications.
The district may refuse to administer medications in an amount exceeding the recommended dosage
listed in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) or other recognized medical or pharmaceutical text.
Except for the emergency use of a prefilled epinephrine auto syringe or asthma-related rescue
medication, the district will not administer the first dose of any medication. Parents/Guardians are
encouraged to arrange to administer prescription medications themselves when possible.
Over-the-Counter Medications
The district may administer over-the-counter medication to a student upon receipt of a written
request and permission to do so by the parent/guardian. However, on the elementary level (grades
K–4) and the vocational level (Lewis & Clark as well as YES and RES Programs), all non-prescription medicines sent to school must be accompanied by an authorized prescriber’s written
order and signature. All over-the-counter medications must be delivered to the school nurse or
health clerk in the manufacturer's original packaging and will only be administered in accordance
with the manufacturer's label.
Prescription Medications
The parent/guardian must provide the district with written permission to administer the medication
before the district will administer the prescription medication to the student. The prescription label
will be considered the equivalent of a prescriber's written direction, and a separate document is not
needed.
Possession and Self-Administration of Medications
The district will permit a student to possess and self-administer medications in accordance with an
IEP or Section 504 plan or in accordance with state law allowing students to possess and self-administer medications for a chronic health condition. However, permission to possess and
self-administer medications may be revisited if there is evidence that the student is not handling or
administering the medication appropriately or that the student’s actions may be harming his or her
own health or the health and safety of other persons.
Students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans
Students may possess and self-administer medications in accordance with the student’s IEP or
Section 504 plan.
Students with Chronic Health Conditions
Students may possess and self-administer medications for the treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis and
other chronic health conditions in accordance with this policy and law. The district must have
written authorization from both the student's authorized prescriber and the parent/guardian.
Emergency Medications
All student-occupied buildings in this district are equipped with prefilled epinephrine auto syringes
and asthma-related rescue medications that can be administered in the event of severe allergic
reaction causing anaphylaxis or a life-threatening asthma episode. These medications will only be
administered in accordance with written protocols provided by an authorized prescriber. The school
principal will maintain a list of personnel trained in the proper administration of these drugs.
The school principal or designee will also maintain a list of students who cannot, according to their
parents/guardians, receive epinephrine or asthma-related rescue medications. A current copy of the
list will be kept with the devices at all times.
Consequences
Students who possess or consume medications in violation of this policy while on district grounds,
on district transportation or during a district activity may be disciplined up to and including
suspension or expulsion. Employees who violate this policy may be disciplined up to and including
termination. District administrators will notify law enforcement when they believe a crime has
occurred.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
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Adopted: 10/14/1993
Revised: 01/14/1999; 01/13/2000; 06/08/2000; 01/10/2002; 07/13/2006; 07/14/2011;
04/11/2013
Cross Refs: EBB, Communicable Diseases
EBBA, Illness and Injury Response and Prevention
Legal Refs: §§ 167.621 - .630, 335.016, .066, 338.059, 577.625, .628, RSMo.
Davis v. Francis Howell Sch. Dist., 138 F.3d 754 (8th Cir. 1998)
DeBord v. Board of Educ. of Ferguson-Florissant Sch. Dist., 126 F.3d 1102 (8th Cir.
1997)
St. Charles School District, St. Charles, Missouri
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