By Donna M. Perry,Staff Writer

JAY – The School Committee has approved a second reading of a policy that requires a doctor’s authorization for personnel to give prescriptions or over-the-counter medications to students.

The board is expected to give its administration of medication policy a final reading and consider adoption of it at its March 3 meeting.

The intent is to ensure the safe administration of medications to students by school personnel and to authorize students to use their asthma inhalers and epinephrine pens in emergencies.

In the event that no reasonable alternative exists, a parent or guardian may request in writing that medication be administered to the student during the school day. All parental requests must be accompanied by a written order from the student’s physician saying that the administration of a particular medication during the school day is necessary for the student’s health and attendance in school.

For nonprescription medication, such as Tylenol, Advil and cough medicine, the school physician will write a standing order once it’s authorized by the student’s family doctor.

“We have to have their own personal family doctor give us authorization or permission to administer any type of medication,” committee Chairman Clint Brooks said.

The school physician would give a standing order, once the family’s physician has given the go-ahead for such medication to be administered, so the student could continue to receive Tylenol or the like for a headache, at another time during the year if needed, Brooks said.

On Thursday, the board also approved a second reading of a life-sustaining emergency care policy. It requires that in emergency situations involving accident or illness, school employees undertake reasonable efforts to provide first aid or life-sustaining emergency care to the extent of their knowledge and training, and/or get assistance of school medical personnel or other staff, and/or get emergency assistance.

This policy will also go before the board for final review March 3.