BOE Suggests Opt-In Policy for Physical Exams

Back in 2023, one Board of Education (BOE) policy caught the eye of some Stafford residents. The policy said that there may occasionally be the need to perform “non-emergency, invasive physical exams” on students and that the schools would inform parents at the beginning of the year, giving them the opportunity to opt out of the exams. 

Superintendent Steven A. Moccio released a clarification of the policy, but parents were still concerned, and they made their concerns known at the November meeting, mostly asking that the policy be changed to opt-in. By December’s Policy Committee Meeting, the matter was officially on the docket, along with several other policy changes where small changes were required by law. 

According to the meeting minutes, BOE member Aaron Hoffman suggested adding clarifying language to reassure parents and the school community that non-emergency invasive physical examinations and screenings would not be conducted by the district. Moccio explained the federal requirements of the policy and said his colleagues are of the belief that the policy language was federally required due to schools performing strip searches. 

When the meeting was opened up for discussion, Stafford resident Alissa Criniti questioned whether prohibiting strip searches was the intent of the policy. She suggested the policy referred to school-based healthcare — which one might think is less objectionable than strip searches, but school-based healthcare is seen as controversial in some circles. 

Criniti said she would prefer an opt-in policy for increased protection of parents and the district. Additionally, she was also concerned about parents not reading notices. 

Former BOE chair Laura Lybarger asked for the full drafts for all policy changes to be made available to the public prior to the meeting for review. 

At the January 8, 2024, BOE meeting, the conversation continued, however, BOE secretary Erica Bushior asked that the vote be pushed back to the January 22, 2024, meeting giving the board members more time to review changes before voting on them.