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Mars Area school board expected to allow EpiPens for students
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The Mars Area school board will consider allowing students to carry their own EpiPens in school.
An EpiPen injects the medicine epinephrine to counter allergic reactions, such as reactions to bee stings.
The school board posted revisions to its policy governing the use of inhalers for asthma to add EpiPens and will rename the policy "Possession/Use of Emergency Medications."
The policy allowing students to carry their own inhalers was passed in 2007 after fears that a student having an asthma attack would not have time to get to the nurse's office.
Solicitor Tom King said he was also recommending that the wording of the policy be changed to extend the time that students can use the inhalers or EpiPens.
"We don't want to say 'during the school day' and exclude extracurricular activities," he said.
Board members agreed. Christine Vereb said students need their inhalers at times when playing sports, while J. Dayle Ferguson noted that "kids tend to get bee stings after school."
The policy is posted for 30 days, after which the board will vote on it.
First Published July 21, 2011 5:35 am
