Parents upset over Upper Merion School District's new head lice policy

UPPER MERION, Pa. (WPVI) -- There's a new change.org petition circulating centered on the new Upper Merion school district head lice policy.

It was started by a "concerned parent" who says parents are being prevented from keeping lice out of their homes.

The petition alleges that the district no longer sends out a notification if there's a confirmed case, calling that ludicrous and unfair.

Action News spoke with Superintendent of Schools John Toleno who tells us that yes, that is the case and notifications no longer go out.

He says every school in the district follows the same protocol: When the school nurse confirms a case, a parent is called in and offered free treatment options.

Once the student has been treated, they can return to school for a new exam with the nurse, who performs it in the presence of the parent. Then, the rooms and rugs are treated.

Toleno says sending out an alert has a stigma attached to it and that they are simply following national guidelines with no plans to change the protocol.

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