Administering Medicines to Students
NEPN/NSBA Code: JLCD

The School Committee acknowledges that in certain circumstances it may be necessary for a student to have medication administered to him/her while in attendance at school. The school committee discourages administration of medication on school premises when other options exist. Whenever possible, it is recommended that the first dose of a newly-prescribed medication be given at home.

A.  Medications administered in school shall meet the following conditions:

1.     The need for medication is based on either an acute or long-term condition.

2.     Whenever possible, the time of administration should be altered to allow a student to receive all doses at home. This includes all medication prescribed “three times a day” as well as “two times a day.” Only those medications prescribed “every 6 hours” or “4 times a day” will need to be given at school.

3.     In special situations, students are allowed to carry medication (for example, certain emergency medications). This would include insulin and glucagon, the use of a prescribed inhaler for asthma or an EpiPen for a severe allergic episode.  Parents/guardians shall provide a diabetes management plan or an emergency asthma/allergy management plan from the student’s health care provider*.

4.     If a health care provider determines that a prescription medication must be given during the school day, then the parent/guardian must sign the medication permission form. The medication must be brought to school by the parent/ guardian in its original pharmacy container labeled with

  • First and Last name of the student

  • Name of medication

  • Dose of medication

  • Route of medication

  • Time of medication

  • Name of prescribing health care provider

  • Date medication was ordered

            Prescribed medications will be dispensed by the school nurse or a trained school employee.

5.  Over the counter (OTC) medications that are covered through a standing order by the school physician may be given to students with parent/guardian permission, renewed annually.  OTC medications will be dispensed by the school nurse.

6.  The parent/guardian is responsible for notifying the school nurse of any changes in or discontinuation of a prescribed medication that is being administered to the student at school.

7.  All medication including OTCs must be kept in the nurse’s office. Students are not allowed to carry medications (without special permission as described above in #3).

8.  The school nurse shall maintain a record of date, dosage and timing of medication and notation of each instance of administration.

9.  School personnel may be provided with such information about the medication and its administration as may be in the student’s best interest.

10.  The school will accommodate students requiring administration of medication during field trips by providing the appropriate number of doses needed for the duration of the field trip.

11.  All medication must be picked up at the end of the school year. Any medication left at school will be discarded.

*“Health care provider” is legally defined as a medical/health practitioner who has a current license in the State of Maine with a scope of practice that includes prescribing medication, which in Maine includes Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or Naturopathic Doctor.

B.   Administration of EpiPens to students without a prescription

The Yarmouth School Department has a collaborative practice agreement, which allows the administration of an EpiPen to a student who does not have a prescription, in an emergency when the student is experiencing anaphylaxis during school or  school-sponsored activity. The EpiPen must be administered by the school nurse or other authorized unlicensed personnel who has received the training required by this policy and the collaborative practice agreement.

C.        Administration of medical marijuana

The Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act governs administration of medical marijuana in schools in Maine. The Department of Administration and Financial Services (DAFS) is the regulatory agency charged with implementing the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act. The Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program, located within DAFS, is charged with the administrative duties associated with implementation, such as issuance of registration cards.

The following procedure must be followed for the administration of medical marijuana to students at school.

1.     The student’s parent/guardian shall obtain a copy of the Yarmouth School Department’s Request/Permission to Administer Medical Marijuana in School form and this School Committee policy from the school nurse.

2.     The parent/guardian and the student’s authorized medical provider (physician, certified nurse practitioner or physician assistant) shall complete and sign the Request/Permission form and attach a copy to the student’s current written certification for the use of medical marijuana. The original certification must be shown to the school nurse. A copy will be retained by the school.

3.     The parent/guardian must designate the caregiver who will administer medical marijuana to the student in school (including for students over the age of 18). The designated caregiver must be registered with the Maine Medical Marijuana Program. The original registry identification card and caregiver designation form must be shown to the school nurse. Copies will be retained by the school.

4.     If the designated caregiver is not a parent/guardian of the student, the designated caregiver must also submit verification that he/she is authorized by the State of Maine to administer marijuana to the student on school grounds.

5.     Arrangements will be made between the school administration and the designated caregiver to schedule the administration of medical marijuana in a manner that will minimize disruption to school operations and the student’s educational program, and that will not impact other students or employees. The designated caregiver must comply with all school committee policies and school rules while on school premises to administer medical marijuana to a student.

6.     Medical marijuana must be brought to school by the caregiver, and may not be held, possessed or administered by anyone other than the caregiver. The student may only possess the medical marijuana during the actual administration process. Medical marijuana administered in school must be in non-smokable form (vaporizers are not permitted).

7.     The designated caregiver must check in at the school office upon arrival for the administration of medical marijuana. Medical marijuana may only be administered in the location that the school administrator designates.

8.     The designated caregiver must check out at the school office following administration of the medical marijuana and transport any remaining medical marijuana with him/her off school premises.

Legal Reference:     
20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 254(5); 4009(4); 4502 (5)(N); 6305
Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule Ch. 40 (2016)
21 USC §801 et. seq. (Controlled Substances Act)
28 C.F.R. Part 35 (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
34 C.F.R. Part 104 (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)
34 C.F.R. Part 300 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, 2015 P.L. Ch. 369 (2015)
Adopted: Prior to 1982
Revised: June 8, 1992; February 1, 2005, February 9, 2006, July 11, 2019