Board approves RSU 14 student handbooks; board asks for clarity on medication rules and table of contents

The Wyndham Raymond School District Board on Aug. 20 approved updated student handbooks for Wyndham High School, Jordan Small Middle School, Wyndham Middle School, Manchester School, Raymond Elementary School (RES) and Windham Primary School.

The handbooks are the product of a summer overhaul of policy summaries and standardization across schools. Board members praised the standardization but asked staff to add table-of-contents navigation to electronic copies and to ensure the handbook language reflects the district’s medication-administration policy.

"Under no circumstances" language in a handbook summary drew questions from board member Jenny, who asked whether life-saving medications — for example, EpiPens for anaphylaxis or inhalers for asthma — are permitted to be carried by students. District staff and the board’s former high-school nurse said the district medication policy (JLCD) allows limited self-administration and that physicians’ orders and nurse authorization are typically required. Jody Carroll summarized: "There is a carve out for EpiPens and also for asthma inhalers with some instruction on students being able to use them."

The board asked staff to confirm that the handbook summaries link to the full board policies and to ensure the summaries do not omit exceptions that appear in the underlying policies. The superintendent said the handbooks are linked to district policies, and staff expect the electronic versions to include stable links and navigation.

Board members also praised the handbook work as aligned with the district’s strategic plan and asked that families be sent links and a brief update before school opens.

The motion to approve the handbooks passed in a roll-call vote with no recorded opposition.