BOARD POLICY 453.4

453.4 - Administration of Medication to Students

Medications are given to students in the school setting to continue or maintain a medical therapy which promotes health, prevents disease, relieves symptoms of illness or aids in diagnosis. Medications, both prescription and non-prescription, should be administered at home whenever possible. 

The School District of Fort Atkinson will administer medication in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes 118.29, and Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01 (2) (g). The School District of Fort Atkinson may administer any prescription medication to a student in compliance with the written instruction of a prescribing health care practitioner and written consent from the student’s parent or guardian as defined by Wis. Stat. Ch. 118.29. Administration of nonprescription medication requires the written instruction and consent of the student’s parent or guardian. Substances which are not FDA approved (i.e. natural products, food supplements) will require the written instruction of a prescribing health care practitioner and written consent from the student’s parent or guardian. Controlled substances, as defined by federal law, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the school nurse.

Medication administration may be authorized by the district administrator, building principal or school nurse to any school employee with proper training, supervision, and evaluation as defined in Wisconsin Administrative Code N. 6.01 and DPI training criteria. Determining such individuals will be the joint responsibility of the building administrator and the school nurse. The school employee who is authorized to administer medication is immune from civil liability for his or her acts or omissions in administering medication to a student unless the act or omission constitutes a high degree of negligence. School nurses are regulated by the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act; therefore, they are not necessarily immune from civil liability for the aforementioned acts or omissions. The district administrator or building principal who authorizes an employee or to administer a drug or prescription drug to a student will be immune from civil liability for the action authorized, unless a court determines that the action constitutes a high degree of negligence.

No school employee, except a health care professional, may be required to administer medication to a student by any means other than ingestion.

Legal Ref.:  Section 118.29, 121.02(1)(g), 961.005, Wisconsin Statutes

Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01(2)(g)

PI 8.01(2)(g), Wisconsin Administrative Code

Cross Ref.:  Administrative Rule 453.4 – Administration of Medication to Students

Board Policy 453.1 – Emergency Nursing Services

Student Medication Log

Approved:  February 17, 2000

Revised:   April 23, 2009

Reviewed:   March 4, 2011

January 15, 2015