Board refers concussion-management policy back to committee to clarify parent notification

The South Portland School Board voted to send Policy JJIF, on management of concussion and other head injuries, back to the policy committee for additional revision and clarification.

Policy committee members had proposed adding a line requiring a member of the district staff to communicate with a parent or guardian before an athlete returns to participation. Several board members said the current draft leaves ambiguity about who makes an initial assessment and how parents are informed if staff determine a medical referral is not necessary.

During discussion a board member described wanting parents or guardians to be “part of the conversation” about when a student should return to play. Another member said the committee had agreed that if a parent declines to clear a student for play, the student would not return to athletic participation.

After debate about wording and possible burdens from frequent notifications, a motion was made and carried to send the policy back to the committee for further work. The policy will return to the board for a second read after the committee drafts clearer language on parent notification, medical-provider referrals and procedures for trainers and coaches.