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[EBCF - PANDEMIC/EPIDEMIC EMERGENCIES]

 The Board recognizes that a pandemic/epidemic is a serious threat that stands to affect students, staff, and the community as a whole.  At all times the health, safety and welfare of the students shall be the first priority.  In accordance with state and federal law, the District shall follow the prevailing medical guidance regarding any new or ongoing pandemic or epidemic including, but not limited to, guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Manchester Health Department, and the advice and recommendations in the State of New Hampshire's Influenza Pandemic Public Health Preparedness & Response Plan, as prepared by the Dept. of Health & Human Services. 

A.                Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Response

In an ongoing effort to maintain the safety of the school buildings and minimize the impact of the COVID-19 virus on student learning, the Superintendent or their designee shall continue to monitor the prevailing medical guidance regarding response recommendations to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Superintendent shall prioritize in person instruction of students and follow the requirements of Board policy Safety 137 and Safety 106 when implementing mitigation measures. Further, the Superintendent shall develop a plan for the mitigation of COVID-19 at the beginning of each school year, which shall be posted at each school location and at the District office. 

2. Future Pandemic/ Epidemic Response

1.      Planning and Coordination

Planning for a pandemic requires a multi-faceted effort, and school preparedness should include input from a team of individuals to address their specific areas of expertise.

The Superintendent shall designate one or more employees to serve as a liaison between the school district and local and State health officials. This designee is responsible for communicating with health officials to identify local hazards, determine what crisis plans exist in the school district and community, and to establish procedures to account for student well being and safety during such a crisis.  The designee shall work with local health officials to coordinate their pandemic/epidemic plans with that of the school district. The designee shall work with the school nurse supervisor to develop a program to teach students about preventing or limiting the spread of communicable diseases. The designee shall develop procedures and plans for the transportation of students in the event students are released from school early. The Board encourages the designee to become a member of the Health Alert Network through the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services.  

With fiscal concerns in mind, the district may purchase and store supplies necessary for an epidemic/pandemic response, including but not limited to disinfectant products, face masks, water, examination gloves, and other supplies as recommended by the designee in consultation with the school nurse supervisor. 

2.                  Response

In the event anyone within the school is discovered or suspected to have a serious communicable disease that may result in transmission to other students, faculty, or staff, the District’s response shall be in accordance with Safety 137 and may require isolation of the infected individual.  The New Hampshire Communicable Disease Control Section of the Department of Health and Human Services shall be notified immediately.

3.                  Infection Control

Any student or staff member found to be infected with a communicable disease that bears risk of transmission may be excluded from school unless the risk of transmission to others is negligible. Determination for exclusion from school shall be in accordance with Students 137. 

Students with excessive absences due to a communicable disease may be given a reprieve from other Board policies relative to excessive student absences.  Efforts will be made by the Principal or designee to determine what, if any, schoolwork the student can complete while absent.

Staff members who are forced to miss excessive days of work shall first use any leave entitled to them through the Family and Medical Leave Act and/or accrued sick leave. If a staff member has still not received medical clearance to resume their work duties due to such illness, absences in excess of a staff member's allotted leave will not affect the employees right to continued employment.

4.                  Continuance of Education

The Superintendent will present to the Board a plan of alternate means of educating students in the event of prolonged school closings and/or extended absences.  Such a plan may include providing students with remote assignments when necessary. 

Legal References:

Influenza Pandemic Public Health Preparedness & Response Plan, New Hampshire

Department of Health & Human Services, Updated March 2, 2006,

www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/CDCS/LIBRARY/Policy-Guideline/dphs-influenza-plan.htm

History: Revised from 2006

First Reading/ Policy Committee: September 21, 2022 and October 19, 2022

Second Reading/ BOSC Adoption: October 24, 2022