Public school board proposes updated head lice policy

The Greater Essex County District School Board is proposing an updated policy on head lice that takes into consideration the sensitivities around students wearing religious head coverings.

The policy, which goes before the board Tuesday, clarifies that staff members are not to have students wearing religious head coverings take them off at school if they’re suspected of having head lice. Instead, a letter will be sent home if a student is suspected of having lice or if other students in the class have lice.

It asks parents to inspect their child’s hair and treat the problem before the student can return to class. The child must have a parental note assuring school officials the child is free of lice.

“We haven’t seen an increase in the problem,” said board chairperson Kim McKinley, who was part of the three-member committee that oversaw the updating of the policy.

“The changes are just out of respect for those students who have head coverings for religious reasons,” she said.

“We’re trying to create a policy that is comfortable for and protects everyone.”

McKinley said the board has a diversity officer and has consulted with various communities in the past when crafting such sensitive policies.

Most of the policy dealing with head lice will remain the same. Letters will be sent home warning of head lice if lice are discovered in a class or school.

Teachers have the option of checking a student who doesn’t wear head coverings, but they’re under no obligation to do so.

All students with head lice must be nit-free before they can return.

“We’re not going to line students up for inspections,” McKinley said. “We don’t do arbitrary inspections now.

“It’ll be dealt with on a case-bycase basis when school officials find lice.”