Catholic board takes another stab at vaccine issue

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board needs a policy on vaccines, says trustee Grace Tridico.

Tridio put a vaccine proposal on the table at a school board meeting last night.

But other trustees disagreed and board chair Marchy Bruni broke a deadlock with the deciding vote to kill Tridico's proposal.

"The board should develop specific guidelines with regard to the consideration of administering of a vaccine on school property," said Tridico's draft resolution.

"When the discussion of the HPV [human papillomavirus] vaccine came before the board, I looked at the board policy binder trying to find something in it that would help act as a guideline in making my decision," she told the board. "I found it lacking."

Tridico said she believed trustees should have a guideline to help make decisions about vaccines administered in or proposed for Huron-Superior schools and on board property.

"I chose to use a pro-active and positive approach," she said. "The goal is not to discuss the content of the draft but to come to an agreement that we require such a policy."

Supporting Tridico were trustees Laurie Aceti, Kathleen Rosilius and Regis O'Connor, though Aceti said she disagreed with some issues in the draft Tridico brought to the board last night.

"I don't think we need a system-wide policy," said Aceti. "I think it should be a policy developed by the trustees for the trustees with the support of administration."

Trustee John Caputo said he could not support a policy on vaccines.

"It's not our role to give the vaccines," Caputo said. "It's the role of the health unit to administer it and everyone in the community can access the vaccines in our schools."

Although Caputo supported the motion to create a vaccine policy, during the discussion before the vote, Trustee O'Connor said he wanted the motion tabled to allow time to consult a lawyer about it.

Trustee Gerald Beerkens voted against it, saying the policy couldn't be made to fit every circumstance.

Trustee Rosilius said she supported the motion because it would bring awareness to trustees.

"We represent the ratepayers who do not have children in the system," she said. "I think we need to have more openness and transparency."

Trustee Lindsay Liske voted against the need for a vaccine policy, saying the board is busy enough without having to enter into public meetings, as called for in the proposed policy, to decide whether a vaccine should be administered in Huron-Superior schools or not.

"Also, if we do a survey and it comes back in favour of the HPV vaccine," said Liske. "Are we going to change our minds or go against the results?"

Trustee Conrad Bobiwash, who participated in the meeting via teleconference, said the board did not have the mandate to make such a policy.

"It is the parents' decision, not ours," Bobiwash said.

As a result of last night's decision, the board will be making decisions about vaccines in its schools whenever it feels it's necessary, and on a case-by-case basis, said Huron-Superior Director of Education John Stadnyk.