Friday, April 24 Video Update

In this webinar, WASB attorneys Bob Butler and Ben Richter answer commonly asked questions asked by new members and the boards welcoming them.

[https://youtu.be/ZYft09Y22xA]

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Monday, April 20 Video Update

In this webinar, WASB attorneys discuss board organizational meetings, officer roles and orienting new members.

[https://youtu.be/BkGzOEZNNR4]

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Friday, April 17 Video Update

[https://youtu.be/fCHE3sTQ7rI]

In this webinar, WASB Government Relations staff and a WASB attorney discuss provisions of the COVID-19 pandemic state legislation (2019 Wisconsin Act 185) related to school districts.

The WASB New Laws bulletin summarizing 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 (as mentioned in the webinar; last revised on 4/21/20) is also now available.  The bulletin was revised after initial publication to include an additional clarification regarding employee access to personnel records and to include an additional section that addresses new authority of state agencies and local governments to waive certain deadlines and training requirements during the public health emergency.

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Thursday, April 9 Video Update

Note: The recording from the April 9 webinar has been delayed. It will be posted when it is available.

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Thursday, April 2 Video Update

[https://youtu.be/qdUj4Aowaso]

In this webinar, WASB attorneys discuss holding virtual meetings

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Wednesday, April 1 Video Update

[https://youtu.be/oxWvm6t0QY0]

In this webinar, WASB attorneys discuss the employer-provided leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

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Thursday, March 26 Video Update

[https://youtu.be/ltctpuyX5ak]

Clips by Topic from March 26 Update:

• Governor’s safer-at-home order
• Process for seeking waivers from the DPI

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Friday, March 20 Video Update

Clips by Topic from March 20 Update:

• WASB sample policies on meeting in virtual session
• Handling closed meetings in virtual session
• Overview of Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• New federal amendments to FMLA
• Federal Amendment to FMLA continued, new leave for parents unable to work due to childcare/school closures
• New FMLA benefit, “Emergency Paid Sick Leave”

• On May 13, the state Supreme Court struck down the emergency order that had extended the state’s “Safer at Home” order until May 26. However, the court’s decision did not affect the portion of the order that addressed school closures for pupil instruction and extracurricular activities. Accordingly, under that surviving provision of the order, schools remain closed on a state-wide basis for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. Read more in the WASB Legislative Update blog post.

• • The full text of the school closure provision reads as follows: “Schools. Public and private K-12 schools shall remain closed for pupil instruction and extracurricular activities for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Schools may continue to facilitate distance learning or virtual learning. Schools may continue to be used for Essential Government Functions and food distribution. This section does not apply to facilities operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.” (See section 4.a of Order #28.)

• Following the Supreme Court’s decision, and at least until any new state-wide rules or order are issued, the nature and scope of pandemic-related orders and restrictions (apart from the state-wide school closure provision) can vary by county and by municipality based on actions taken by local public health departments and other governmental authorities.

• In an emergency order issued on April 20, Gov. Evers announced the Badger Bounce Back plan that outlines the steps Wisconsin needs to take to decrease COVID-19 cases and deaths and increase capacity in Wisconsin’s healthcare system so that a phased reopening of businesses (including schools) is possible and people can get back to work. The plan was established to help the state reach the White House’s recommended guidelines for reopening the state.

• Child Care Settings – On March 18, Secretary Palm issued an emergency order that restricted the size of child care settings for the duration of the public health emergency or until a superseding order is issued. Under the March 18 order, child care settings could not operate with more than 10 staff present at a time and may not operate with more than 50 children present at a time. Although a new emergency order was issued by Secretary Palm on April 16 that amended the March 18 order, the Supreme Court ruled on May 13 that the April 16 emergency order was unenforceable (except for the provision that closes schools, as mentioned above). The Supreme Court’s decision left some ambiguity regarding the status of the March 18 order and the rules for child care settings. However, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has issued a new Frequently Asked Questions resource to state, “Safer at Home and the associated public health emergency orders are no longer in effect, including for child care.  Badger Bounce Back: Best Practices for Child Care Providers provides recommendations to child care programs about health and safety guidance based on a phased approach using gating criteria and the best available science from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health Services (DHS).”  School districts and other child care operators should continue to monitor the guidance provided by DCF and the other resources that are identified in the DCF’s Frequently Asked Questions document.

Public health officials recommend individuals take Everyday Preventive Actions to help stop the spread of germs and prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. The CDC offers several free handwashing resources that include health promotion materials, information on proper handwashing technique and tips for families to help children develop good handwashing habits.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Put distance between yourself and others (6 feet or more). Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. Do not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• If you are in a private setting and do not have a cloth face covering on, remember to always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is encouraging school districts to consult with their local or county public health department regarding the cleaning of schools in preparation for the summer and the eventual reopening of schools. On May 14, the CDC issued Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Schools and Other Workplaces and Businesses.

In addition to complying with the Everyday Preventive Actions outlined above, the CDC is recommending wearing cloth face coverings (e.g., face masks) in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

The CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings (not surgical masks or N-95 respirators) to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. These CDC face covering guidelines were issued on April 3 and are voluntary.

School officials can help control the spread of respiratory viruses and other communicable diseases by making employees, students and parents aware of Related School District Policies, Procedures and Plans and making sure that they are followed.

• Refer to a special issue of WASB’s THE FOCUS, “School Board Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (last revised March 27, 2020).

• Refer to the April 2020 Policy Perspectives for information on the suspension/waiver of board policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and deadline date changes for the 2020-21 full-time open enrollment application period.

• Policies Addressing Employee Compensation During Extraordinary Circumstances – Districts paying staff compensation with federal grant funds or certain state categorical aid during the COVID-19 pandemic will need to incorporate language into their written district policies and procedures related to employee compensation during unexpected or extraordinary circumstances. According to the DPI, the cost is not an allowable cost unless it is consistent with the district’s policies and procedures for paying compensation from all funding sources, federal and non-federal, under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances. The DPI has drafted sample policy language to expedite the incorporation of such information into a district’s official policy. Subscribers to WASB’s Policy Resource Guide should look for this sample policy in the online PRG under the policy code 671.5.

• School Wellness Policies – Federal regulations require school districts participating in federally subsidized school meal programs (i.e., the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program) to assess compliance with local school wellness policies at least once every three years. The first triennial assessment was required to be completed by June 30, 2020. However, the USDA recently issued a Nationwide Waiver of Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessments in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to support districts unable to complete a triennial assessment of local school wellness policies by that date due to school closures as a result of COVID-19. The new first triennial assessment deadline is June 30, 2021, for those districts opting to use this waiver, with the second triennial assessment deadline due by June 30, 2024. Wisconsin school districts opting to use this waiver must notify the DPI of their intention to utilize the waiver by completing the Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment Waiver Notification Form found on the DPI’s website by June 30, 2020.
  • While this waiver option is available, some districts may have already completed their first triennial school wellness policy assessment and may not be due to conduct one in 2020. The DPI also encourages school districts to complete the triennial assessment of their school wellness policies by June 30, 2020 if they are able. The DPI has developed the Wisconsin Local Wellness Policy Report Card for districts to use to complete triennial wellness policy assessments.

• End of School Year Procedures
  • DPI Guidance on Packing-Up, Picking Up, and Returning School Items during COVID-19 (issued 5/19/20)

School districts need to plan how they will provide students with options to continue learning during the period of school closure due to the coronavirus.

• Department of Public Instruction Resources: “District Planning and Implementation Resources for Continuity of Learning” can be found on the DPI’s website. These resources are updated regularly and include:
  • Limited Technology Options for Remote Learning information, which was issued on March 31, that includes information on low-technology and community opportunities to support at-home learning (e.g., possible internet options, limited bandwidth) and alternative learning options. One such alternative learning option is for students to tune in to local broadcast networks for educational television and for teachers to create lessons that may coincide with the learning. The DPI has partnered with PBS Wisconsin and Milwaukee PBS to support at-home learning for students and families by broadcasting a new weekday television schedule of programming with digital resources that connect to Wisconsin’s state academic standards. PBS Wisconsin is dedicating the 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daytime weekday schedule on The Wisconsin Channel, or PBS Wisconsin 2, and Milwaukee PBS is dedicating the 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daytime weekday schedule on WMVT 36.1 to educational programming, including specific blocks of time for pre-K through 12 grade levels and specific subject areas, including English language arts, social studies, science and math.
  • DPI’s Offers for Services and Resources for Schools During COVID-19, which include information on free or reduced-price Internet and portable access offers around Wisconsin, resources for students and families, and resources for teachers and schools.
  • The new Learning During COVID-19 and Learning Every Day, Everywhere resources that were issued on March 31 to be shared with learners, educators, caregivers and families.
  • Early Learning Information on COVID-19
  • Learning During Extended School Closure: English Language Arts, Literacy and Mathematics

• Refer to the May 2020 Wisconsin Public Forum report addressing Wisconsin’s Digital Divide and its Impacts on Learning. This May 2020 report is intended to (1) broaden understanding of the number and characteristics of students in Wisconsin who lack reliable home internet access and (2) look at strategies implemented both in Wisconsin and elsewhere to help these students.

• Council of Chief State School Officers Resources – Refer to CCSSO recommendations for remote learning. These recommendations have been vetted for quality and provide free high-quality instructional materials aligned to different types of remote learning from printed packets to virtual instruction. The CCSSO runs the High-Quality Instructional Materials and Professional Development Network that currently supports eight states, including Wisconsin.

• Summer 2020 Online Instruction – On May 5, an emergency rule revision to PI 17 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code was published dealing with summer and interim sessions receiving state aid. The emergency rule, which will be in place for the summer of 2020, expands the ability to use online instruction for summer school and count instruction minutes for membership. This change was made to ensure districts have the flexibility they may need to address the uncertainties posed by COVID-19. According to the DPI, the emergency rule does not change the types of classes that can be offered through summer school, but rather allows districts to offer those classes in an online format for all grades K-12, expanding the online option that is currently limited to credit-bearing courses in grades 7-12.
  • On May 12, the DPI School Finance Team issued new guidance on “Counting Minutes of Online Instruction for Summer 2020 Under PI 17 and Emergency Rule 2003”. For the summer of 2020, school districts can offer blended or fully online summer school classes for all grades K-12 and have the instructional minutes be counted for student membership. Any such online summer school class must be: (1) offered by the school district; (2) offered to resident students or nonresident students attending under open enrollment; and (3) taught by a teacher licensed by the DPI, a teacher licensed by the state from which the online course is offered, or a faculty member of an institution of higher education who is authorized to teach high school. As with in-person summer school classes, online summer classes must be offered for academic purposes, which are “learning experiences that are related or similar to instruction that is offered during the rest of the school year or for which credit toward graduation is given.” According to the DPI, there is no actual distinction for “remedial” or “enrichment” classes – content that meets the definition of academic purposes for in-person summer school will also meet that definition for online summer school. Refer to the guidance document for further information.

• Student Record Information and Privacy – Refer to U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office FERPA and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources, which include FAQ’s and information related to virtual learning. Refer to the recording of the Student Privacy Policy Office’s March 30 webinar entitled “FERPA & Virtual Learning During COVID-19” which, among other things, addresses commonly asked questions related to the challenges of complying with student privacy laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) during this time and presents a series of scenarios which highlight privacy best practices and considerations when adopting distance learning approaches.

• Cybersecurity Recommendations for Students and Staff – Refer to recommendations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s School Safety Team for using video conferencing tools and online platforms.

• Student Assessment Information – The DPI received approval from the U.S. Department of Education on March 23 to implement waivers for the federal assessment and accountability requirements in Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. All federal assessment and accountability requirements are waived for the state and all Wisconsin school districts immediately for the 2019-20 school year. State law requirements to administer third-grade reading tests and state-required tests for grades four, eight, nine, 10 and 11 were also waived for the 2019-20 school year in 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, which goes into effect on April 17. According to Act 185, student performance on statewide assessments in the 2019-20 school year may not be considered in the evaluation of a teacher or principal under the statewide Educator Effectiveness System. Normally under current state law, teacher and principal evaluations must be based in part upon measures of student performance, including performance on state assessments. Refer to the DPI’s website for additional information regarding COVID-19 Related Assessment Updates.

• Student Attendance Reporting – According to the DPI, the DPI will not be requiring school districts to report student attendance during the period of time schools are closed for this public health emergency. Locally, if a district chooses to continue to take student attendance, it has the latitude to determine how to do so, but that information will not need to be reported to the DPI.

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams – The College Board has announced special 2019-20 AP exam administration procedures that will allow students to take their AP exams. The College Board has developed secure, online free-response exams for each course that focus on content that most schools were able to complete by early March. Students will be able to take their AP exams on any device they have access to – computer, tablet or smartphone. They will also have the option to write their responses by hand and submit a photo. According to the College Board, colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked to earn.

• Youth Apprenticeships and Skill Standards Cooperative Education Programming – School districts should be aware that the WI Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has implemented revised minimum requirements for the Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program for the 2019-20 school year to provide flexibility for stakeholders, to reduce the burden on YA consortia, and to provide options for students to complete their 2019-20 YA Program amid the COVID-19 health emergency. As of March 18, 2020, YA junior and senior students who were registered with YA for the 2019-20 school year will be considered successful completers if they: (1) met a minimum of 338 for Level 1, or 788 for Level 2, hours of work-based learning, and (2) at a minimum, have completed one full semester plus nine weeks of the second semester of YA-related instruction. Similar requirements will apply to the state-certified Skill Standards Cooperative Education programming, according to the DPI, including employability skills and youth leadership. Key components of the revised requirements are: (1) students may continue related classroom instruction virtually; (2) the school-supervised, work-based learning (WBL) employer training agreement (ETA) is temporarily suspended; and (3) as of March 18, 2020, a student is considered successful if he/she: (a) was registered for the 2019-20 school year, (b) met a minimum of 360 hours for DPI Skill Standards Co-Op, or 68 hours for Employability Skills or Youth Leadership, and (c) completed one full semester plus nine weeks of the second semester of required program-related instruction. Students who did not achieve these minimums have the choice to continue to accrue hours over the summer up until September 30, 2020, or be registered as incomplete in the program. According to the DWD, Regional Youth Apprenticeship Coordinators will have until October 31, 2020 (one-month extension) to complete end-of-year completion documentation.

• Wisconsin School Library Information – Refer to DPI’s COVID-19 information relevant to Wisconsin school libraries for information and resources related to such topics as student access to school library resources, cybersecurity and data privacy, copyright, Common School Fund Expenditures, circulation of library books and materials, and collaboration with public libraries.
  • State law provides that money generated by the Common School Fund be used for the purchase of library books and other instructional materials for school libraries and for the purchase of instructional materials from the State Historical Society for use in teaching Wisconsin history. However, in addition, a school district may use Common School Funds to purchase school library computers and related software if the school board consults with the person who supervises the school district’s libraries and the computers and software are housed in the school library. The DPI is encouraging school library media specialists to allocate Common School funds to allowable online resources, such as eBooks, audiobooks and research databases. The DPI has advised that if districts are unable to spend their 2019-20 Common School Fund allocation in full, the unspent portion should be coded as restricted fund balance (10 B 936130) and spent in 2020-21. These changes should be noted in the district’s long-range library plan.

It is important for school districts to keep in mind equity and access issues when planning and providing for continuity of learning during this time of the pandemic. According to the DPI, making purposeful decisions about how to leverage resources to support learning will help learners and caregivers participate in remote learning opportunities. In considering equity and access in a remote learning environment, DPI suggests that districts consider the following questions: (1) Are there flexible schedules, goals and structures for learning?; (2) Are there co-constructed learning experiences?; and (3) Are everyday learning experiences reflected? Additional information on equity and access may be found in DPI’s Considerations for Teaching and Learning during COVID-19,” which were issued on March 31.

• U.S. Department of Education’s Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students
  (Refer to the “Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities” issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) on March 21 which clarifies that “ensuring compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act should not prevent any school from offering educational programs through distance instruction.” According to the OCR and OSERS, schools “should not opt to close or decline to provide distance instruction, at the expense of students, to address matters pertaining to services for students with disabilities. Rather, school systems must make local decisions that take into consideration the health, safety, and well-being of all their students and staff.”

Students with Disabilities

• U.S. Department of Education’s “Questions and Answers for Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak”

• U.S. Office of Civil Rights’ webinar discussing “Online Education and Website Accessibility”

• DPI’s Special Education Team’s COVID-19 Special Education Updates and Resources which include, among other information:

• • An “Extended School Closure due to COVID-19 Special Education Question and Answer Document” (updated regularly) (According to information included under question #2 of the “Specially Designed Instruction (including Distance Learning) section of the document,“school closures may prohibit the provision of services on a face-to-face basis to students with disabilities, but local educational agencies (LEAs) should consider whether providing some services using an alternative format would be appropriate. To determine the services to be provided during the school closure, LEAs may hold virtual individual education program (IEP) team meetings, or with parent agreement, use the Notice of Changes to IEP Without an IEP Meeting form (DPI Model Form I-10) to make revisions to an IEP.”)
  • “Teleservice Considerations for Related Services During the Current Public Health Emergency” (updated regularly)
  • Additional Services due to Extended School Closures Document (May 2020 document that provides guidance in determining whether and to what extent additional services need to be provided to students with IEPs because of the extended school closure due to the public health emergency.)

• May 2020 WASB Legal Comment entitled “Compensatory Education Services for Students with Disabilities: The Continuing Consequences of COVID-19” (member log in required).

English Learners

• DPI’s English Learners Information on COVID-19, including “Extended School Closure for English Learners due to COVID-19 Questions and Answers Document.”
• U.S. Department of Education’s Fact Sheet: Providing Services to English Learners During the COVID-19 Outbreak (issued 5/18/20)
• Coronavirus: Multilingual Resources for Schools

Homeless Children and Youth

• DPI’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth Information on COVID-19 , including School House Connection’s “FAQ on COVID-19 and Homelessness” (updated regularly).

The DPI has authority under section 118.38 of state statutes to grant waivers to school districts from many of the requirements found in Chapters 115 to 121 of the state statutes and in DPI’s administrative rules.

• WASB sample resolutions relating to requests for waivers of school district requirements under section 118.38 (such as a waiver of the minimum hours of direct instruction) are provided below. A school board may be able to use one of these samples to help organize and document the board’s approval of any waiver requests. Note that DPI offers a simplified online waiver submission process for certain waiver requests.
  • Sample 1 — MS Word version;  PDF version (shorter sample with less background detail; last revised 3/26/20)
  • Sample 2 — MS Word version;  PDF version (longer sample with more background detail about the public health emergency that is the reason behind the waiver requests; last revised 3/26/20)
  • Prior to requesting a state law waiver, school boards are reminded that they must first hold a public hearing, as per section 118.38(1)(b) of the state statutes. According to DPI guidance, such public hearings may be conducted virtually or by teleconference. The DPI also reminds districts to remain attentive to Open Meetings Law concerns, as further covered in guidance issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (see DOJ’s March 16 advisory and a related supplement issued on March 20).
• Instructional Hour Waivers – The DPI will waive the minimum number of hours of direct instruction required by state law for any school district that requests the DPI to do so due to this ongoing public health emergency. On March 21, Gov. Tony Evers issued an emergency order, which suspended a portion of the administrative code related to requesting waivers of instructional hours [PI 8.01(4)(b)1 through 7 and (c)]. The DPI is now able to approve instructional hour waiver requests following district submission of a simple form.
  • According to the DPI in a School Financial Services COVID-19 bulletin issued on April 13, school districts that receive waivers from the hours of instruction requirement will also have the 0.6 FTE membership requirement for 87.5 hours of 4-year-old kindergarten (4-K) parent outreach waived. A separate or additional waiver for 4K outreach hours is not required. DPI still encourages districts to continue engaging 4K parents as much as possible during the COVID-19 disruption. Districts that do not have 4K parent outreach will still count those students as 0.5 FTE.

• High School Graduation Requirement Waivers – Information on how high school seniors who have not yet passed the civics test required for high school graduation can meet the requirement can be found on DPI’s website. If there are extenuating circumstances during this ongoing public health emergency that prohibit students’ ability to graduate in 2020 because they have not passed the civics graduation requirement, the district may request a waiver from this state law requirement using a special DPI waiver request form. According to the DPI, school boards could request a waiver from the state-required high school graduation (credit) requirements for those students who were on track with current coursework for them to have completed all state-required high school graduation requirements had the school year not been suspended. School boards could request this waiver through the DPI in accordance with information outlined on the DPI’s website. Additional information regarding meeting graduation requirements during this current public health emergency can be found in a March 26 DPI document entitled “Graduation Requirements, Grading and Class Promotion.”

• Educator Effectiveness Evaluation Waivers – School districts are required by state law and implementing administrative rules to (1) evaluate all licensed school personnel in their “first year of employment and, at least, every third year thereafter” and (2) use the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System to meet the evaluation requirements for principals and teachers. Due to COVID-19, the DPI recognizes school and district staff may struggle to complete the Educator Effectiveness process for 2019-20 Summary Year educators. The DPI has provided specific guidance to support school districts who wish to complete the Educator Effectiveness Cycle for educators in their Summary Year of 2019-20. If it is not possible to do so, the DPI will waive those requirements, upon completion of a special waiver form.
  • According to 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, student performance on statewide assessments in the 2019-20 school year may not be considered in the evaluation of a teacher or principal under the statewide Educator Effectiveness System. Normally under current state law, teacher and principal evaluations must be based in part upon measures of student performance, including performance on state assessments.

• On April 20, Gov. Evers announced the Badger Bounce Back plan that outlines the steps Wisconsin needs to take to decrease COVID-19 cases and deaths and increase capacity in Wisconsin’s healthcare system so that a phased reopening of businesses (including K-12 schools) is possible and people can get back to work. The plan was established to help the state reach the White House’s recommended guidelines for reopening the state.
  • DPI/DHS Interim COVID-19 Infection Control and Mitigation Measures for Schools (issued 5/21/20) – This guidance document was developed by the DPI, in consultation with the DHS, and is meant to support local planning. It constitutes what is considered promising practice at the current time based upon what is currently known and understood regarding COVID-19. Any decision about the use of the school should be made in consultation with local health authorities who can help assess the current level of mitigation needed based on (1) the level of COVID-19 transmission in the local community, (2) the capacities of the local public health department and health care systems, and (3) other relevant factors. The DPI is continuing to work on related and more detailed guidance on reopening schools.
  • Wisconsin General Guidance for All Businesses
  • Wisconsin Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – Public Facilities
  • Department of Children and Families’ newly issued Guidance for Licensed Day Camps for Children
  • Department of Health Services’ Guidance for Youth Sports (This guidance is listed with guidance for community and faith-based organizations – click on the Youth Sports tab to locate the guidance)

• Child Care Settings – School districts that offer child care services or allow child care providers to use school facilities for such purposes should be aware that the Department of Children and Families has created guidance documents for child care providers that highlight best practices for continuing operations or reopening during the three phases of Wisconsin’s Badger Bounce Back Plan. In addition, the DCF has created a new resource that can be shared with parents and family members to help answer their questions and guide them when making child care decisions during the public health emergency. These information resources include:
  • The Best Practices for Child Care Providers overview highlights considerations and recommendations during each phase of the transition. As always, the health and safety of children is the most important priority.
  • The Best Practices for Child Care Providers frequently asked questions provides specific recommendations during each phase of the transition.
  • The Reopening Child Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic decision tree assists child care programs in making decisions about reopening during the Badger Bounce Back transition.
  • A Navigating Child Care During a Public Health Emergency Resource – a two-page Flyer or a 11 x 17 Poster

    According to the DCF, all child care providers that were temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic must contact their licensing specialist/certifier prior to reopening. Modifying the status in the Provider Portal does not notify the licensing specialist. Anytime a change in status occurs, the licensing specialist/certifier must be contacted, and the Provider Portal updated.

• CDC Guidance: On May 14, the CDC issued guidance for reopening Schools and Child Care Programs, including:
  • Interim Guidance for Reopening Schools and Child Care Programs 
  • Youth Programs and Camps Decision Tool
  • Child Care Decision Tool
  • Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Schools and Other Workplaces and Businesses.

• American Academy of Pediatrics: COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Return to In-person Education in Schools

• TNTP: Learning Acceleration Guide

 

 

School boards should be aware that they will be required by 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 (see also the WASB New Laws bulletin summarizing Act 185), which goes into effect on April 17, to submit a report to the DPI by November 1 on virtual instruction and other school operations during the time that schools are closed during the 2019-20 school year due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This report must include all of the following information:

• Whether or not virtual instruction was implemented in the school district during the public health emergency and, if implemented, in which grades it was implemented.

• If virtual instruction was implemented in the school district during the public health emergency, the process for implementing the virtual instruction.

• For each grade level, the average percentage of the 2019−20 school year curriculum provided to students, including curriculum provided in−person and virtually.

• Whether anything was provided to students during the 2020 summer to help students learn content that students missed because of the public health emergency and, if so, what was provided to students.

• Recommendations for best practices for transitioning to and providing virtual instruction when schools are closed.

• Any challenges or barriers the school board faced related to implementing virtual instruction during the public health emergency.

• By position type, the number of staff members who were laid off during the public health emergency.

• The number of lunches the school board provided during the public health emergency.

• The total amount by which the school board reduced expenditures during, or because of, the public health emergency in each of the following categories: (a) utilities; (b) transportation; (c) food service; (d) personnel (This category includes expenditure reductions that result from layoffs.); and (e) contract terminations.

The DPI plans to create a form to collect the above information, which the DPI is required to report to the State Legislature by January 1, 2021.

For purposes of the above-required school board report, “virtual instruction” means instruction provided through means of the Internet if the students participating in and instructional staff providing the instruction are geographically remote from each other.

• Refer to DPI’s Student Services/Prevention and Wellness (SSPW) Team COVID-19 Information for Student Services, which includes a resource entitled “A Focus on Mental Health and Wellness During School Closures,” online training resources, and information related to school counseling, school psychology, school social work and school health services. In addition, DPI’s SSPW Team is offering weekly Mental Health Community of Practice webinar meetings on supporting student mental health during school closures.
  • Self-Care During COVID-19 for Student Support Professionals – Student support professionals are not only tasked with supporting and guiding others through the COVID-19 pandemic but they are also contending with their own uncertainties, stress, etc. This resource is intended for student support professionals.

• Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Coronavirus Resources, which include social and emotional learning resources for educators, parents and caregivers. CASEL has created a new CASEL Cares Initiative Webinar Series that is intended to help everyone – children, teachers, parents and other adults alike – attend to the social and emotional needs that arise during this challenging time dealing with the pandemic and the changes it is making in their lives. The webinars are being recorded and are available to access via CASEL’s website.
  • On May 18, CASEL released An Initial Guide to Leveraging the Power of Social and Emotional Learning as You Prepare to Reopen and Renew Your School Community. This brief includes a four-part guide for school leaders: (1) take time to build partnerships, deepen understanding, and plan for SEL; (2) design opportunities for adults to connect, heal, and cultivate their own SEL competencies and capacities; (3) create emotionally and physically safe, supportive and engaging learning environments that promote all students’ social and emotional development; and, (4) use data as an opportunity to deepen relationships and continuously improve support for students, families and staff.
  • CASEL Cares Webinar: Leveraging SEL to Reopen and Renew Your School Community During COVID-19 (May 15 webinar – Refer to additional online instructional resources that the Fordham Institute has compiled to help support distance learning in schools and districts.)

• DPI’s School Mental Health Resources

• Gov. Evers announced the launching of the Department of Health Services’ Resilient Wisconsin website on April 3 to provide practical tools and sources of support that can help everyone strengthen their resilience during times of stress so that they can take care of themselves and those around them during COVID-19 and beyond.

• Resources of the Well Badger Resource Center – This resource center is a Wisconsin-based health information and referral service that is operated through a partnership with the Department of Health Services and helps to connect Wisconsin families and individuals with resources and services like WIC, BadgerCare Plus, and FoodShare. It also provides services and resources for children with special health care needs and children’s mental health.

• Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting – With schools closed and the “safer at home” order in place, children are having fewer interactions with school employees and other professionals trained to observe and mandated to report suspected child abuse. Because of this, the Department of Children and Families believes it is critical now, more than ever, for everyone to be aware of the signs of child abuse and neglect and to know how to report those signs to local welfare agencies. School employees are also reminded of their child abuse and neglect reporting obligations under state law even during this public health emergency. School employees are required to make a report if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen in the course of professional duties has been abused or neglected, or if they have reason to believe that a child seen in the course of professional duties has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur. The intentional failure to report as required may result in a fine, imprisonment or both.
  • Refer to DPI/DCF’s document entitled Mandated Reporting During Safer At Home Information for additional information.

Virtual Meeting Information

• WASB Sample Policies to Support Local Decisions for Changes to School Board Meetings: “Virtual Meeting” Policies (last revised March 19, 2020)

• A special issue of WASB’s THE FOCUS, “School Board Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (last revised March 27, 2020)

• WI Department of Justice Open Government Advisory regarding COVID-19 and Open Meetings (issued by DOJ on March 16, 2020)

• WI Department of Justice Supplement to the Open Government Advisory regarding COVID-19 and Open Meetings (issued by DOJ on March 20, 2020)

• WASB Remote Meeting Tips for School Board Members

Organizational Meeting Information

• Refer to the PowerPoint presentation slides for the April 20 WASB Legal Webinar on “Board Organizational Meetings, Officer Roles and Orienting New Members,” which include information on virtual school board meetings and the election of board officers.

State Law Waiver Resolution & Meeting Information

Sample Resolutions for Requesting State Law Waivers – WASB sample resolutions relating to requests for waivers of school district requirements under section 118.38 of the state statutes (such as a waiver of the the minimum hours of direct instructions). A school board may be able to use one of these samples to help organize and document the board’s approval of any waiver requests. Note that DPI offers a simplified online waiver submission process for certain waiver requests.

• • Sample 1 — MS Word version;  PDF version (shorter sample with less background detail; last revised 3/26/20)
  • Sample 2 — MS Word version; PDF version (longer sample with more background detail about the public health emergency that is the reason behind the waiver requests; last revised 3/26/20)

Prior to requesting a state law waiver, school boards are reminded that they must first hold a public hearing, as per section 118.38(1)(b) of the state statutes. According to DPI guidance, such public hearings may be conducted virtually or by teleconference. The DPI also reminds districts to remain attentive to Open Meetings Law concerns, as further covered in guidance issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (see DOJ’s March 16 advisory and a related supplement issued on March 20).

WASB attorneys have received a number of questions regarding employee compensation during a school closure for a pandemic. The following is provided as general information and is not offered as legal advice.  WASB attorneys encourage any member board to refer inquiries about the application of law to any specific factual context to the school district’s legal counsel.

Part of the determination of what to do regarding employee compensation during a school closure for a pandemic depends upon why the employee cannot report to work and whether the district wishes to mitigate the loss of income for the employee. Specific paid leave benefits or wages for teachers and support staff due to a school closure for emergency reasons (like the pandemic) has more variance due to differences in individual contracts, employee handbooks and board policies regarding fitness for duty determinations, leave availability (sick, emergency/personal, vacation, administrative), acceptable uses for such leave and whether the school district has existing emergency school closing language that addresses the make-up of such days, the pay for such days or the ability to use paid leave for such days.

Teachers have individual contracts and those individual contracts will take precedence over other items. If in-person or online learning is not occurring and the teacher is not required to report to work, many districts are keeping teachers in a paid salary basis during any closure due to the pandemic due to the teacher’s individual contract terms. Some districts have decided to pay support staff employees who are not required to report to work.  In order to effectuate that decision, the ability to remain in a paid status might be done through the following:

1. Determining that existing sick leave/emergency leave/personal leave cover the school closing due to the pandemic; or
2. Affording the employee the opportunity to remain in a paid status by using any available paid sick leave/emergency leave/personal leave in combination with any available vacation; or
3. Providing board-approved administrative paid leave to the employee (this would require separate board action since most school districts would not have a provision like this in their existing policies or employee handbooks); or
4. Advance wages to employees for the lost time and if the district chooses to make it up later, the employee has already been paid for such days.  This may need the voluntary agreement of the employee.

Paying Employee Compensation from Federal Grant Sources

• Refer to DPI’s School Finance Frequently Asked Questions Document for information on (1) payment of staff salaries with federal grant funds during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) related accounting and time and effort documentation requirements. (See question 6 on page 2 and the questions included under the Staff Salaries section on pages 10-14).

• Districts that are planning to pay staff salaries with federal grant funds during the COVID-19 pandemic will need to incorporate language into their written district policies and procedures related to employee compensation during unexpected or extraordinary circumstances. According to the DPI, the cost is not an allowable cost under a federal grant unless it is consistent with a local educational agency’s written policies and procedures. The DPI has drafted sample policy language to expedite the incorporation of such information into a district’s official policy, which is based on guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Subscribers to WASB’s Policy Resource Guide should look for this sample policy in the online PRG under the policy code 671.5.

• Refer to U.S. Department of Education’s April 8 guidance for information on paying the compensation of an employee paid with federal grant funds during the period the employee is unable to work because school is closed due to the pandemic.

Use of State Categorical Aids for Personnel Costs

• According to the DPI, personnel costs incurred during the COVID-19 health emergency will remain eligible for certain state categorical aids. In order for salaries, wages, paid leave and other employee benefits to remain aid-eligible, compensation must be paid consistent with the district’s policies and procedures for paying compensation from all funding sources, federal and non-federal, under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances. (Refer to the sample policy language referenced above.) The district must also continue to pay for similarly situated employees whose compensation is not aid-eligible. Employees being redeployed to other roles and serving the greater good in a meaningful capacity (e.g., deep cleaning, delivering meals) may continue to be paid with funds eligible for state categorical aids, assuming those employees would otherwise be eligible for paid leave and are not required for direct services under their usual aid-eligible positions. Districts do not need to create and maintain time and effort documentation for aid-eligible employees redeployed to other roles during the health emergency.

• For additional information on the state categorical aids falling under the above-mentioned DPI determination, and the specific eligibility details for each, refer to School Financial Services COVID-19 Update #6 (issued on April 27). Due to the student-driven nature of High Cost Special Education Aid, the DPI is not able to include it in this determination.

Additional Resources:

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Temporary Rule providing initial regulations for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (April 2020)

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s “Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers” (various dates of release)

• Additional U.S. Department of Labor Resources, including information on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (including fact sheets on employee paid rights and employer paid leave requirements and the mandatory FFCRA workplace notices/posters) and Q&As related to the application of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (various dates of release)

• The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds “Q&A for Employers: WRS Benefits and COVID-19” (not dated)

• DPI School Nursing and Health Services’ “Suggestions for Implementing Social Distancing and Protecting Against COVID-19 Infection for School District Employees Performing Essential Functions” (issued 4/9/20)

WASB attorneys have received a number of questions regarding unemployment compensation during a school closure during a pandemic. The following is provided as general information and is not offered as legal advice.  WASB attorneys encourage any member board to refer inquiries about the application of law to any specific factual context to the school district’s legal counsel. If the support staff employee is told not to report to work and is not paid, the employee may be able to file for unemployment compensation since the employee doesn’t have reasonable assurance of a return to work date.  Refer to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development “Unemployment Compensation Guide” that addresses educational employees and reasonable assurance.

Additional Resources:

• The DWD’s “Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 Coronavirus and Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits for claimants and employers” (updated regularly).

• 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 included a number of changes to the state’s unemployment insurance program for which school districts should be aware. Under Act 185, the one-week waiting period for the receipt of benefits is inapplicable to claimant benefit years that begin after March 12, 2020, and prior to February 7, 2021. Another significant temporary change to unemployment insurance concerns the extent to which regular benefits will be charged back to employers.
  • When processing initial claims for regular benefits payable for weeks beginning after March 12, 2020, and beginning before December 31, 2020, the DWD will determine whether a claim is related to the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72. If such a claim is determined to be related to the public health emergency, then the regular benefits paid for that claim shall, for all “reimbursable employers” (including school districts), be charged to the administrative account and paid from the appropriation established under state law.
  • In order to take maximum advantage of the Act 185 provisions that avoid charging the cost of regular benefits back to the school district as a reimbursable employer, each school district will want to ensure that, to the extent relevant to any claim, the district provides the information that establishes that the claim relates to the public health emergency. The DWD will likely provide additional information about this process in the near future, including the extent to which such a designation might be made retroactively.

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s “Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers” also contains several questions addressing how the FFCRA leave benefits interact with unemployment benefits (resource periodically updated by the Department of Labor)

• On April 2, the U.S. Department of Labor issued new guidance (Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 14-20) outlining relevant provisions of the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act related to the administration of and eligibility criteria for state unemployment insurance programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for those not typically eligible for unemployment insurance, and expanded unemployment insurance benefits.

• Refer to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) latest Guidance Regarding COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws, which includes information related to such topics as disability-related inquiries and medical exams, confidentiality of medical information, reasonable accommodations and return to work (updated frequently).

• On March 21, 2020, the EEOC updated previous guidance in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act workplace protections and rules. The updated guidance includes the following introductory note:The EEOC is updating this 2009 publication to address its application to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  Employers and employees should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as state/local public health authorities on how best to slow the spread of this disease and protect workers, customers, clients, and the general public.  The ADA and the Rehabilitation Act do not interfere with employers following advice from the CDC and other public health authorities on appropriate steps to take relating to the workplace.

• DPI School Nursing and Health Services’ “Suggestions for Implementing Social Distancing and Protecting Against COVID-19 Infection for School District Employees Performing Essential Functions” (issued 4/9/20)

• WASB Government Relations Staff’s memo entitled “Wisconsin’s Estimated Share and Permissible Use of Federal Funding Under the CARES Act”, which summarizes the allocation process and the permissible uses for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding (issued April 2, 2020). School leaders should be aware that the CARES Act requires that public school districts receiving these funds must provide equitable service to non-public schools. School leaders should also be aware that the Act contains language that conditions the receipt of federal education stabilization funds by local educational agencies (e.g., school districts), states, institutions of higher education, or other entities, upon those entities continuing, to the greatest extent practicable, to pay employees and contractors during the period of any disruptions or closures related to the coronavirus.

• DPI School Financial Services COVID-19 Updates, which include a frequently asked questions document regarding school finance and COVID-19. School districts should check the FAQs frequently as they are continually updated as more information is available. Recent updates include, for example, topics such as private school equitable services, cancelled professional development, and keeping employees on payroll. District questions can be sent to COVID-19questions@dpi.wi.gov.

• Summer 2020 Online Instruction – On May 5, an emergency rule revision to PI 17 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code was published dealing with summer and interim sessions receiving state aid. The emergency rule, which will be in place for the summer of 2020, expands the ability to use online instruction for summer school and count instruction minutes for membership. This change was made to ensure districts have the flexibility they may need to address the uncertainties posed by COVID-19. According to the DPI, the emergency rule does not change the types of classes that can be offered through summer school, but rather allows districts to offer those classes in an online format for all grades K-12, expanding the online option that is currently limited to credit-bearing courses in grades 7-12.
  • On May 12, the DPI School Finance Team issued new guidance on “Counting Minutes of Online Instruction for Summer 2020 Under PI 17 and Emergency Rule 2003”. For the summer of 2020, school districts can offer blended or fully online summer school classes for all grades K-12 and have the instructional minutes be counted for student membership. Any such online summer school class must be: (1) offered by the school district; (2) offered to resident students or nonresident students attending under open enrollment; and (3) taught by a teacher licensed by the DPI, a teacher licensed by the state from which the online course is offered, or a faculty member of an institution of higher education who is authorized to teach high school. As with in-person summer school classes, online summer classes must be offered for academic purposes, which are “learning experiences that are related or similar to instruction that is offered during the rest of the school year or for which credit toward graduation is given.” According to the DPI, there is no actual distinction for “remedial” or “enrichment” classes — content that meets the definition of academic purposes for in-person summer school will also meet that definition for online summer school. Refer to the guidance document for further information.

• State Financial Reports and Year-End Audits – On April 27, the DPI reminded school districts there will be no delays in state financial reports and year-end audits. Determination of state aid payments, especially the crucial Oct. 15 certification of general state aids, relies upon accurate data submitted within established deadlines. According to DPI School Financial Services COVID-19 Update #6, Gov. Evers’ most recent “safer at home” order closes schools for instruction and extracurricular activities through the end of June, but it also specifies that essential governmental functions “needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government body” are to continue. Nothing in the emergency order suspends the need for districts to conduct their year-end fiscal activities, nor to prevent auditors and employees from accessing buildings and records for business purposes.
  • While PI 14 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code requires that school district audits be conducted on-site, the DPI understands that the current situation calls for being flexible in the interpretation of “on-site.” DPI’s School Finance Team recommends that districts work with their auditors to identify audit processes that will maximize health and safety while maintaining operations. For example, an auditor could conduct field work remotely with an employee on-site to locate and scan invoices or other needed financial records.

• U.S. Department of Education’s “Fact Sheet: Select Questions Related to Use of Department of Education Grant Funds During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019,” which was issued on April 8.
  • Donation or Loan of Unused Personal Protective Equipment Purchased with Federal Grant Funds – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced on April 15 that school career and technical education programs can donate or loan personal protective equipment (PPE – e.g., gloves, masks, face shields, gowns), other medical supplies or equipment, or equipment that may be used to produce medical supplies (e.g., 3-dimensional printers) that were purchased with federal funds and are not needed for program activities at the time of donation, to public health agencies, private nonprofit hospitals and other licensed health care providers to support the coronavirus response effort. According to Department of Education guidance issued in relation to such donations, grantees and subgrantees must maintain appropriate document of the disposition of all donated or loaned items, and make the records available to the DOE during monitoring, audits or other reviews. Grantees and subgrantees must maintain the records for a minimum of three years and until the resolution of any audit, monitoring or oversight conducted relative to the donation or loan consistent with federal requirements.

• U.S. Dept. of Education “FAQ” Resource on CARES Act Funding for School Districts – The Frequently Asked Questions document (released in early May) addresses the “Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund” (ESSER Fund), which was established as part of the federal CARES Act. Under the ESSER Fund, the DPI will award subgrants to local educational agencies to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools. The Frequently Asked Questions attempt to answer questions that are not easily understood from a plain reading of Section 18003 and other parts of the CARES Act or the ESSER Fund Certification and Agreement (C&A). It was developed in direct response to questions that the U.S. Dept. of Education has received from states and schools about implementing the ESSER Fund program.

• GASB 84 and GASB 87 are Postponed – The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has postponed the effective dates of a few recently issued GASB Statements and Implementation Guides. In particular, GASB 84 (Fiduciary Funds) and its associated Implementation Guide are postponed to 2020-21. GASB 87 (Leases) and its Implementation Guide are postponed to 2021-22. The GASB encourages and permits early implementation of these statements, including GASB 84, but statements cannot be partially implemented. See this DPI web page for additional information.

• DPI Provides Guidance on Federal Maintenance of Effort – According to this DPI web page, the existing local education agency “maintenance of effort” (MOE) requirements under the IDEA remain in place, and no additional exceptions have been added to address any shortfalls in expenditures due to the COVID-19 national emergency.

• Refer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) fact sheet entitled “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures,” which outlines appropriate actions that are necessary to protect public health and safety and provides guidance on the types of emergency protective measures that may be eligible under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, in accordance with the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, in order to ensure that resource constraints do not inhibit efforts to respond to this unprecedented disaster.

• Graduation Ceremonies – Because schools are closed for instruction or other purposes through the end of the school year (which is June 30 under state law), except for essential functions described in the “safer at home” emergency order, questions have been raised about district graduation ceremonies or other forms of recognition for high school graduates this school year. In response to some of those questions:
  • The DPI has developed “Considerations for Virtual Ceremonies During COVID-19”
  • The Department of Health Services has issued guidance and recommendations
  If districts have health or safety questions related to graduation ceremony/recognition options, they are encouraged to contact their local and/or county public health department, liability insurance carrier and district legal counsel.

• WASB Insurance Plan-endorsed agency Gallagher article on: “Responding to the Coronavirus,” which is intended to help school districts review applicable insurance coverage and outline actions that will assure the district is ready – no matter how the pandemic evolves.

• WASB Insurance Plan-Endorsed agency M3 Insurance articles on:
  • “Working from Home During a Coronavirus Outbreak”
  • “Balancing Working from Home and Caregiving Responsibilities”
  • “COVID-19 Extra Expense Claim Guidelines for Public Entities”
  • “Payroll Allocation Guidance for Workers’ Compensation”
  • How Schools are Already Addressing the 8 Dimensions of Wellness

• WASB Insurance Plan-endorsed agency Associated Benefits and Risk Consulting article on “Insurance Carriers Release Early Estimates of the Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Costs” (May 2020)

• Communications Tips
  When communicating with employees, students and families about Coronavirus, here are a few helpful key messages and tips to keep in mind:

   

  •  The priority is the health and safety of students and employees.
  • Schools work closely with public health officials and rely heavily on their guidance because they are the experts.
  • Local and state health departments are the best resources for current information about coronavirus.
  • Emphasize what is known at the time of the communication.
  • Include the date/time in all communications, including social media posts, because information can change quickly.
  • Include best hygiene practices in communications.
  • Create a web page that can be easily updated to links with the most current information from reliable sources, including the local and state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control.
  • The best way to combat rumors and speculation is easy access to reliable information.

• Boards Taking Action – See what districts are telling their legislators and community members about their response to the pandemic. (COVID-19 Responses tab)

• Graduation Ceremonies – Because schools are closed for instruction or other purposes through the end of the school year (which is June 30 under state law), questions have been raised about district graduation ceremonies or other forms of recognition for high school graduates this school year. In response to some of those questions:
  — The DPI has developed “Considerations for Virtual Ceremonies During COVID-19.”
  — The Department of Health Services has also issued guidance and recommendations.
  If districts have health or safety questions related to graduation ceremony/recognition options, they are encouraged to contact their local and/or county public health department, liability insurance carrier and district legal counsel.

   

  • State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor Message to the Class of 2020

• WASB Board President Form Op Ed for School Boards to thank their staff

• WASB Remote Meeting Tips

• Donovan Group: Coronavirus Communication for School Leaders

• National School Public Relations Association resources, including:
  • Coronavirus Communications Crisis Toolkit for Public Schools
  • March 18 NSPRA/Blackboard webinar on best practices

• Communicating During A Crisis Tips

• CDC Checklist for Teachers and Parents

School officials should refer to Additional Resources to keep up-to-date on the coronavirus and related prevention and intervention activities.