Following up on the Governor’s April 6 directive to extend school closures through June 19, Superintendent Chris Reykdal released BULLETIN NO. 031-20 EXECUTIVE SERVICES on April 8, 2020 providing clarity to school districts on the use of facilities.
As relayed in the above OSPI Bulletin, the following guidelines must be followed:
- Consistent with the timeline of the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy directive, no group meetings of staff, including for professional learning or staff meetings, should occur. School districts should utilize online, phone, or other alternatives to address this need.
- Facilities should only be used for providing direct services to individual students where there is no alternative for the service delivery and both the service is necessary and essential AND the use of the facility is both necessary and essential. This is expected to be an unusual occurrence.
- Facilities are not to be used for providing direct services to groups of students.
- Any gatherings within school facilities must comply with applicable social distancing directives and health guidelines. Districts must continue to monitor and implement guidance from state and local health officials.
Private School Facility Use
According to the latest conversation with state agencies, WFIS has heard that essential workers are allowed to be in school buildings. These essential workers may include maintenance and facility staff, business administrators, administrators, childcare teachers, teachers providing essential care, etc. Schools with COOP plans have defined their essential workers; those without may be defining them now. The essence of the Governor’s order to close schools was to stop the spread of COVID-19. Groups of people may not work or be together. Define your essential workers. Keep them safe.
