5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS
The School Board shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. The administration of prescribed medication and/or medically-prescribed treatments to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours, or if the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from his/her educational program.
For purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and any nonprescribed (over-the-counter) United States Food and Drug Administration regulated drugs. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to health-care procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.
Approval and Use
Before any prescribed medication or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require as follows:
- written authorization of the parent utilizing the District "Dispersion of Medication Form"; and
- a written statement from the parent which grants to the principal or designee permission to assist in the administration of such medication and which explains the necessity for the medication to be provided during the school day, including an occasion when the student is away from school property on official school business.
The child's physician and the parent must also authorize in writing any self-medication by the student utilizing the District "Dispersion of Medication Form". This is limited to epinephrine, diabetes supplies and equipment, pancreatic enzymes, or short-acting bronchodilators as permitted by F.S. 1002.20(3)(h-k). Variance to this rule requires approval from the Superintendent on a case-by-case basis.
A student may possess and use a medication to relieve headaches while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a physician's note or prescription if the medication is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use to treat headaches as permitted by F.S. 1002.20(3)(p). Before any other nonprescribed medication or treatment may be administered, the Board shall require the prior written consent of the parent utilizing the District "Dispersion of Medication Form" which includes a waiver of any liability of the District for the administration of the medication. Any other over-the-counter medication shall not be carried on a student's person in the school except as approved by the principal. Furthermore, no student is allowed to provide or sell any type of over-the-counter medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention and of the Student/Parent Handbook.
Only medication in its original container; labeled with the date, if a prescription; the student's name; and exact dosage will be administered. No more than a ninety (90) day supply of the medication may be kept at the school. For student safety it is required that the parent/guardian or a responsible adult deliver the medication at the school. In hardship cases, the parent/guardian must request in writing, and receive approval from the school administrator, for an alternative plan for medication delivery.
For purpose of this policy, cough drops and sunscreen are not considered a medication. Over-the-counter medications will not be administered to pregnant or breastfeeding students without written direction from the student's physician.
Storage
The principal will designate the person(s) to be responsible for accepting, counting, and administering the medication. The designated person(s) will complete a medication log for each student when medication is administered. Medication will be counted and stored properly in the ORIGINAL CONTAINER under lock and key in a location designated by the principal. Proper disposal of unused medication shall be the responsibility of the school nurse.
With written consent from the healthcare provider and parent, a student with diabetes shall be allowed to carry and self-administer medication, supplies, and equipment based on the student's diabetes medical management plan.
Administration of Medication
For all types of medication, except those identified below, the principal or appropriately trained designee shall assist the student in the administration of the medication. Parents may administer medication or treatment.
The Board shall permit the administration by a licensed nurse of any medication requiring intravenous or intramuscular injection or the insertion of a device into the body when both the medication and the procedure are prescribed by a physician and the staff member has completed any necessary training.
Nonmedical assistive personnel shall be allowed to perform health-related services upon successful completion of child-specific training by a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse licensed under F.S. Chapter 464, a physician licensed pursuant to F.S. Chapters 458 or 459, or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to F.S. Chapters 458 or 459. All procedures shall be monitored periodically by a nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or physician, including, but not limited to:
- intermittent clean catheterization.
- gastrostomy tube feeding.
- monitoring blood glucose.
- administering emergency injectable medication.
For all other invasive medical services not listed in this subsection, a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse licensed under F.S Chapter 464, a physician licensed pursuant to F.S. Chapters 458 or 459, or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to F.S. Chapters 458 or 459 shall determine if nonmedical District personnel shall be allowed to perform such service.
Students who may require the administration of an emergency medication may have such medication, identified as aforenoted, stored under lock and key in the clinic/school office, and administered in accordance with this policy.
In-service programs directed by the school principal, designee, and school nurse will be conducted for those authorized to administer medication.
Assignment of Certain Staff at Schools with Enrolled Students with Diabetes
Each school in the District that has a student enrolled with diabetes shall have a licensed nurse or trained school personnel (i.e., unlicensed assistive personnel) assigned to the school. These individuals must be appropriately trained to provide the necessary diabetes care throughout the school day and during school-sponsored activities.
Administration of Medical Marijuana to Qualified Students on District Property
Medical marijuana should be only administered on District property during school hours when administration cannot reasonably be accomplished outside of school hours. In those limited circumstances when it is medically necessary, the administration of medical marijuana to qualified students on District property shall be in accordance with this policy.
- Definitions - For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions shall apply per Florida statute:
- "Qualified student" means a student who is a resident of this State who has been added to the medical marijuana use registry by a qualified physician to receive marijuana for medical use and who has qualified patient identification card.
- "Caregiver" means a person at least twenty-one (21) years of age and a resident of this State who has agreed to assist with a qualified patient's medical use of marijuana, has a caregiver identification card and meets the requirements set forth in F.S. 381.986(6).
- "Designated Location" means a location identified by the District or school administrator in its sole discretion on school grounds.
- "Marijuana" means all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound manufactured, slat, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin, including low-THC Cannabis, which are dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center for medical use by a qualified patient.
- "Permissible type of medical marijuana products" means non-inhalable products such as oils, tinctures, edible products, or lotions that can be administered and fully ingested or absorbed in a short period of time. Due to the potential for misuse, vapors, patches, or other types of administration that continue to deliver medical marijuana to a student while at school are NOT permitted.
- School nurses, healthcare personnel, and District staff are NOT permitted to administer, store, hold, or transport the medical marijuana in any type. Medical marijuana will NOT be stored on any District property, including school grounds at any time.
- Medical marijuana CANNOT be administered to a qualifying student while aboard a school bus or at a school-sponsored event.
- A copy of the qualified student's valid registration form for medical marijuana must be provided to the school.
- An Authorization for Medical Marijuana Use for Qualified Students at School form must be submitted each school year. If there are any changes to the type of preparation of medical marijuana, a new form must be submitted. This form must be signed by the parent/guardian, caregiver, and school administrator.
- Any caregiver seeking access to District property for purposes of this policy must comply with District policy and procedures concerning visitors to schools.
- The caregiver shall be responsible for providing, administering, and then removing the permissible type of medical marijuana from District property.
- At no time shall the qualifying student have the medical marijuana in his/her possession.
- If the Federal government indicates that the District's federal funds are jeopardized by this policy, or asks the District to cease and desist the implementation of this policy, the Board declares that this policy shall be suspended immediately and that all administration of any type of medical marijuana to qualified students on school property shall not be permitted. The District will comply with any federal guidance and/or directives related to the policy. The District shall post notice of such policy suspension and prohibition in a conspicuous place on its website.
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