By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Elementary school students who have life-threatening food allergies will be allowed to eat lunch at any table they choose in the cafeteria starting in the 2024-2025 academic year.
The School Committee approved a revised regulation for the Life-Threatening Allergy Management Policy during a June 4 meeting. A group of parents have been urging the school board and Interim Superintendent Tom Geary to revise the regulation incorporated into Policy JLCF that required elementary school students diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies and have been prescribed an EpiPen to eat at nut-safe tables during lunch.
School Committee member Jim Dillon, who serves on the Policy Subcommittee, gave an overview of the revised regulation.
“For students with life-threatening allergies, a nut-free table will be available at the elementary and middle schools during lunch,” said Dillon while reading the revised regulation. “Students with life-threatening allergies can be offered a seat at an allergy aware or nut-free table at the request of a parent/guardian. Details of nut-free table placement during lunch can be documented in a child’s individual health care plan, emergency action plan, 504 or individual education plan.”
Before the discussion about the revised life-threatening allergy management regulation began, School Committee member Jamie Hayman requested that the vote be delayed until the panel’s next meeting on Tuesday, June 11.
“I am fully for this change for life-threatening allergies, but we have been very consistent about taking all new policies and putting them on the new policy section of the website,” said Hayman. “This has not gotten there. I would suggest that because this is going to impact so many kids and it’s not going to take effect until next year, I think we should put the full language on the website for parents to see and take this up at our next meeting.”
Dillon said he “didn’t get the necessity” of Hayman’s suggestion.
“I don’t get that,” said Dillon.
School Committee member Jenny Sheehan, who also serves on the Policy Subcommittee, agreed with Dillon.
“I see Jamie’s point in that because in general I think that makes sense, but in this particular case, I know I have personally talked to half of the parents with allergy children,” said Sheehan. “I think they are aware of what the changes are and are supportive of it. I don’t think it is necessary in this particular case.”
While School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio said she appreciated the concerns that Hayman raised, she concurred with Dillon and Sheehan’s viewpoints.
“I think in general that is a good idea and has been what we have done,” said DePrizio. “I feel like we were pretty explicit at our last meeting, so I feel like the language and the understanding for many of our families who will be affected by this is very clear for them already. I would be comfortable voting. We will make sure that we put it up online.”
After the discussion, DePrizio, Dillon, Sheehan and School Committee Vice Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy approved the revised Life-Threatening Management Allergy policy regulation. Hayman voted present.
