Head lice policy changes could be coming to Williamson County Schools
Currently, students with lice are required to be picked up immediately, but some school board members want to allow them to finish the day.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WSMV) - Students with head lice could soon get to stay in class instead of being sent home in Williamson County.
School board members discussed and planned to vote on a head lice policy change for the district, and parents shared their thoughts on the situation with WSMV4.
Some parents said that the thought of a child with head lice staying in school was unsettling, but some school board members said there’s a logical reason to keep them in class.
“No student should be denied an education solely due to the presence of head lice,” a Williamson County school board member said.
Keeping students in school is one of reason school board members talked about changing their head lice policy.
“Head lice, while a nuance, is not considered a health hazard and does not spread disease,” another school board member said.
Members referenced research found by the CDC to back up their policy change proposal.
Currently, students with lice are required to be picked up immediately. Some board members want to change that and allow students with lice to finish that day of school but stay home until their head lice have been treated.
However, not all board members agreed.
“I strongly disagree, and I kind of feel like most parents would want to pick up their child as soon as they’re available,” another Williamson County school board member said.
Shaun Dean has multiple kids in the county and said that’s exactly what he would do and wants to see from other parents.
“I would want them to go home immediately and stay home until it’s been situated,” Dean said.
Some board members argued that based on CDC research, lice cannot jump or fly and that students infested with the insect likely already spread them to others before the cases are found. This has parents like Jennifer Watts raising questions.
“Of course, it is a little concerning the idea that maybe lice maybe more of a risk,” Watts said.
Dean said before they cast their votes, he hopes board members thoroughly do their research.
“If they want to change the guidelines, I trust our education system, but my personal thought is if lice is discovered, they need to go home right away, makes more sense to me,” Dean said.
The Williamson County School Board plans to meet again on Monday.
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