Student Health

School Medications Program

A significant change to state laws NDCC 23-43-03 & ND 43-12.1-04 and the addition of a new section to NDCC 15.1-19-23 authorizes schools to provide medication within parameters established to ensure the safety of our students. With guidance from the North Dakota School Boards Association, the Grafton School District adopted a medication policy explaining the school's rights and responsibilities under the new law. The medication policy and forms can be found on the Grafton School District's website under Policy ACDB: School Medication Program.

Parent Responsibilities:

  • All medication must be provided by the parents or guardians and hand delivered to the designated district official;

  • Sign a written form authorizing his or her student to receive medication from an eligible school medication provider prior to carrying out this service;

  • List contact numbers for the student's parents or guardians and healthcare providers;

  • Sign a waiver of confidentiality allowing administration or eligible school medication provider to contact the student's healthcare provider;

  • If dispensing equipment is required, it must be provided by the parent or guardian;

  • Submit a new form for each new medication.

All students are required to comply with the district's policy on drug and alcohol free schools, which contain prohibitions on illegal activities associated with prescription and over the counter medication.

Self-Administration

Prior to a student self-administrating medication, the medication must be hand delivered by a parent or guardian to the district trained personnel. Appropriate authorization forms must be completed and medication properly labeled in accordance to requirements before a student can self administer the medication.

For the safety of all students, all medications must be registered and kept in the school office except for inhalers, epipens, and nubulizers needed for emergency purposes.

The District accepts no responsibility or liability for students who self-administer medication.

Over-the-Counter Medication

  • The District and all school employees and volunteers are prohibited from purchasing over-the-counter medications to provide to students.

  • If over-the-counter medication is supplied by the student's parents or guardian, it must be supplied in the original manufacturer's container, and the container must list the ingredients, recommended dosage, expiration date, administering instructions, and storage instructions in a legible format.

  • Any over-the-counter medication dispensed by school district personnel must include a signed authorization form which includes instructions from the parent/guardian on how, when, and how long to provide medication.

District Responsibilities

  • Designate and train personnel to store and dispense over-the-counter and prescription medications;

  • Safely store and dispense medication;

  • Keep accurate records including a controlled medication log;

  • Establish disposal procedures for any outdated and unclaimed medications.

Prescription Drugs

  • Prescription drugs require written authorization and instructions from a health care provider detailing how, when, and how long to provide medication;

  • Prescription medications must be supplied in the original pharmacy labeled container and include the name and phone number of the pharmacy.

Medication Off-Campus When Student is Under District Supervision

Parents or guardians must make arrangements with the building principal or school nurse for students who will require medication off-campus while under the district's supervision prior to the activity or event.

The School District reserves the right to refuse to dispense any medications when a parent asks the school to dispense medications in an unsafe manner.

If a student is not governed by an IEP or 504 Plan, his or her participation in the school medication plan is a privilege, not a right.