CDC

HIGHLAND PARK - Some parents in the Highland Park School District say lice has steadily become a reoccurring problem and are voicing their unhappiness with a lack of cooperation between the district and some of its parents.

Parent Tracie Jay is among those speaking out.

"There are two second graders in a specific class and a boy in a specific class who have had head lice this year," she said. "It's documented. The school is aware and the parents were never notified in that class."

Jay said she believes poor communication has made the annual problem worse.

"You have complacency with removing nits and parents who believe it's okay for the kids to go to school with nits," she said.

The policy at Highland Park states that students may be sent home from school when live lice are identified or when the number of nits, which are lice eggs, indicates a need for treatment. That number is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Lorri Kroeker said her second grader was exposed this year at Hyer Elementary.

"I have not heard anything from the school, the teachers, the administration," she said.

Both Kroeker and Jay said they are asking other parents to join their fight for a no-nit policy. The Carroll Independent School District has one. Students in that district aren't allowed back into a class until they are nit-free.

Those at the Highland Park district said it's unlikely they will change policy, but do credit Jay for a change in procedure at Hyer Elementary. Every night, custodians now sweep the floor and clean all upholstery.

While she said that is a step in the right direction, Jay said it isn't enough.

"Until those nits are under control, they should be out of school," she said.

E-mail mjepson@wfaa.com