School looks at medication policy

GREENFIELD, Ind. (WISH) - Lisa Jeffries blew the whistle in November.

Despite a request from school leaders at her son’s school, J.B. Stephens Elementary, she told 24-Hour News 8 she suspected a health assistant was stealing her son’s medication.

Jeffries filed a report with the Greenfield Police Department. The department conducted an investigation but prosecutors decided not to file charges.

Now, two months later, the district is looking at ways to tighten how drugs are given to students.

Monday the school board will listen to recommendations.

The district’s superintendent, Linda Gellert, says installing cameras is one recommendation from Greenfield police.

“Certainly not in the areas where students would be treated, but the storage cabinets that are locked,” Gellert said. “We would record any interruption to that cabinet.”

Gellert says the district doesn’t have written policy on administering medication to students in the district.

State law requires a school nurse to give prescription medication, but allows other staff to give non-prescription drugs with a parent's written permission.

But Gellert says many safeguards are in place, such as logging and counting all medication.

Jeffries, told 24-Hour News 8 she welcomes the idea of installing surveillance cameras.