District health staff briefed the school board on measles prevention, exclusion rules and the district’s plan to notify families in the event of a confirmed case in GISD.

The lede: Presenters described measles as a highly contagious respiratory infection and summarized the district’s intended response: when a confirmed case occurs on a campus, the school will notify affected families in writing and via the district’s messaging system; students without proof of immunity will be excluded for 21 days.

Why it matters: Presenters said measles complications can include ear infections, pneumonia and rare neurologic injury; they stressed vaccination as the primary prevention tool. In the meeting the district noted confirmed cases existed in nearby Dona Ana County and El Paso but said GISD had no confirmed case at the time of the presentation.

Details presented: Health staff reviewed clinical signs (fever, cough, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, characteristic rash), the standard prevention (two doses of MMR provide approximately 97% effectiveness) and the forms of acceptable proof of immunity: documentation of two MMR vaccine doses or a positive IgG titer. The district said students who cannot provide proof of immunity will be excluded from school and extracurricular activities for 21 days following exposure on the campus.

District numbers and staff guidance: Presenters reported 63 students in GISD did not have documentation of two MMR doses at the time of the briefing; most campuses have very few or no students who lack two doses. When board member Flores asked about employee leave if staff are excluded, the administration said staff would currently need to use accumulated sick leave absent a state or federal emergency leave policy.

Ending: The district said it will coordinate with the New Mexico Department of Health on any confirmed case and will communicate campus‑specific notices in both English and Spanish; no change to district immunization policy was proposed at the meeting.