01.jan.07
Milford Daily News - Milford, MA
Michael Morton
http://www.milforddailynews.com/homepage/8999031383061954559
FRANKLIN - A school group, studying the handling of science experiments and disease outbreaks after students got salmonella from owl pellets, will, according to this story, present its recommendations early next year.
School Committee member Roberta Trahan, who joined a group of parents, teachers, school nurses, and medical and science professionals in addressing the issue, was cited as saying the community should not expect any significant changes, adding, "There are some communication things parents wanted to see in place. It's not going to be anything earth-shattering.''
Trahan declined to provide specifics, as her group is still working on its findings. Nearly five dozen students at Jefferson Elementary School contracted salmonella after a June science experiment involving pellets of owl excrement.
State Department of Public Health officials said the pellets became contaminated with the bacteria before being delivered to the school. In their report, they determined school staff followed proper procedures and absolved them of responsibility.
Some parents complained, however, citing discrepancies between staff reports and testimony from their children about what took place.