Students in Kentucky, including in the Christian County School District, will be required to receive new vaccines to attend school, as it was presented to the school board at Thursday’s meeting.
Director of Pupil Personnel Melanie Barrett informed the board that due to new policies, parents and guardians must provide proof that a student has received two rounds of a Hepatitis A vaccine. She says they must provide proof upon enrollment of kindergarten, seventh and eleventh grade and for the 2018-19 school year twelfth graders.
Nurse Supervisor Megan Kidd says students 16 years of age and older with also be required to show proof of having received two doses of a meningococcal booster shot.
The move comes down as an amendment to the Kentucky Administrative Regulation on immunization schedules from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and is effective July 1. As for what will happen if proof is not provided—Kidd says they are still working with the school district’s attorney to determine potential procedures.
In other action, the school board approved a bid of $403,500 to purchase four new school busses and bids to create secure entrances at Indian Hills and Millbrooke Elementary schools. Also approved was a partial reroofing project at Hopkinsville High School, which will be the final portion needed to complete the roof.