A perennial problem at the beginning of each school year is the proliferation of head lice sharedamong students, but this year seems to have been particularly problematic. During the Oct. 28 meeting of the Tuckerton Board of Education, a Tuckerton parent called it an epidemic and suggested the board change its policy on head lice, which he said had allowed children with “nits” (lice eggs) to stay in school. The policy that is in effect in many schools, including Tuckerton, requires a child be sent home only if live lice are found.

He also asked the board to do head checks earlier in the year before lice could proliferate.