School Lice - The Beginning of the Story

(Note: The person who submitted this story tried to answer under comments but a computer glitch prevented it) so this is the beginning the the story from the previous post.

A parent discussed concern at the school board meeting that 2 whole classes of children were all checked with a comb by the nurse on Friday, then all checked again with a comb on Monday. Parent expressed that this may be excessive. Parent also expressed that same comb was used on all children. Parent expressd not wanting their own children subject to this at school, and would check children themselves at home. Mr. Goldberg (supt'd) commented that there is only 1 concerned parent regarding the nurse's procedure. Several others who were present expressed concern - Mr. Tom Carl on the school board, a teacher expressing herself as a parent, and Janet Forman. A cosmetologist present stated that her equipment has to be bagged and disposed of if it comes in contact with lice. Another teacher said to send a note home for what they look like, and she will check her child's head.

The children likely saw the nurse using the same comb on all of their classmates. They may think that this is okay to do.

CDC website regarding lice in schools:
"Current evidence does not support the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of classroom or school-wide screening for decreasing the incidence of head lice among school children. School administrators are encouraged to help educate parents and staff about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice. "No-nits" policies that require a child to be free of nits before they can return to school are not recommended. Children should be permitted to return to school or child care after appropriate treatment is started. Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease". (other literature mentions that a secondary infection can happen, perhaps from scratching)

American Academy of Pediatrics - Head Lice School Control Measures:
"Screening for nits alone is not an accurate way of predicting which children will become infested, and screening for live lice has not been proven to have a significant effect on the incidence of head lice in a school community over time. In addition, such screening has not been shown to be cost-effective.
......Because of the lack of evidence of efficacy, classroom or school-wide screening should be strongly discouraged.
It would be prudent to periodically provide information to families of all children on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice. Parents should be encouraged to check their children's heads for lice if the child is symptomatic; school screenings do not take the place of these more careful checks. It may be helpful for the school nurse or other trained persons to check a student's head if he or she is demonstrating symptoms."

Comments from school board members: Dr. Malaspina said to have someone give a written report. Tom Carl said to do a letter, and not wait 30 days until the next meeting. Terrance Watson asked if school is obligated by law to do anything. Tom Carl said that he has heard from parents and teachers coming here. He stated to put a plan in action, clear it up.