Proposed policy would end exclusion for head-lice nits

What happened

A committee report says the Policy/Legislative Committee approved a first-reading amendment to Policy 8454 for board consideration that would stop excluding students who have only head-lice nits. The proposal still requires proof of treatment to the school nurse and no evidence of active lice.

Why it matters to families

If adopted, the change would remove nits alone as a reason to keep a student out of school, while retaining treatment and active-lice checks.

The evidence

The October 2026 committee report states that the proposed amendment aligns with health-organization recommendations that nits do not spread lice, keeps the treatment-proof and active-lice requirements, and was approved for consideration by the Board of Education on first reading.

The source