Update May 17 at 7:58 p.m.

Leander ISD's board of trustees voted 7-0 to approve the use of unassigned epinephrine auto-injectors at schools within the district.

Original story posted April 20 at 12:27 p.m.

Epinephrine autoinjectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPen, can save the life of an individual experiencing an anaphylactic event due to an allergic reaction.

When a Leander ISD student is prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector by a doctor, it can then be stored in the nurse’s office of their school in case of emergency, said Brad Mansfield, senior executive director of student services for LISD.

Mansfield gave a presentation to the district’s board of trustees Thursday night about the possibility to use unassigned epinephrine at schools.

“If a student shows signs of an anaphylactic event and was not diagnosed by a doctor, it gives us the option to have that EpiPen on campus to administer,” he said.

He said the district has not had a significant number of students who experience an event and do not already have a prescription.

Physician oversight would cost $5,000 each year, and the cost of the autoinjectors–approximately $26,000 annually–would be covered by a grant, Mansfield said. They expire after one year, at which time the cost for new autoinjectors could continue to be covered by the grant, he said. Replacements for units that are used before the year is up would cost around $350 each.

Mansfield said LISD nurses have put together a "comprehensive training program" as required by Texas Education Code for staff with the responsibility of administering the unassigned epinephrine, with registered nurse oversight.

If approved by the board at its next meeting, four epinephrine autoinjectors could be placed at each campus, he said. LISD will hold a public hearing on the item at the May 17 board meeting.