ML School Board receives mumps, make-up days update

The Medical Lake School Board went through a light agenda at its Jan. 24 meeting.

During his report, Superintendent Tim Ames informed the board that there are no confirmed mumps cases in the school district. According to the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), there are 112 confirmed cases in the county. Forty-eight percent (54) of the cases are children ages 10-19 years old.

Ames said in the event that there is a case of mumps at one of the buildings, the district would send out a notification letter. After the second case, the district, working with SRHD, would issue an exclusion letter. Students and staff, who are not immunized, will be excluded from school for 10 days after the letter was issued. Staff and students can return to school sooner if they provide their immunization records, or get a measles, mumps and rubella shot.

“The health district says the easiest thing is to just get the shot,” Ames said.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, a mobile clinic arrived at Hallett Elementary School to provide immunizations to staff, students and their families.

Ames also announced the district will use Feb. 17 and June 14 to make up the Jan. 9 and Jan. 18 school closures. Feb. 17 was already built in as a snow make-up day, while June 14 will be the official last day of school.

In action items, the board approved the second reading of policies “Homeless Students Enrollment Rights and Services” and “Students in Foster Care.” Both policies state the district will work to provide homeless students and those in foster care with the same education as their peers.

The board also approved the second reading of the policy “Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.” The policy references the updated Revised Code of Washington 28A.600.485 — Use of restraint or isolation specified in individualized education programs or plans developed under section 504.

During reports, Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy and school resource officer Deputy Travis Pendell said he did not have to “respond to many incidents during the first half of the school year.” In the spring, Pendell plans on emphasizing drug awareness, specifically the dangers of nicotine, with high school students. He also wants to hold a social media night with parents, as well as raise awareness about cellphone usage while driving.

“The biggest violators are actually the parents (on cellphones) who are dropping off their kids,” he added.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.