8420.01 - PANDEMICS AND EPIDEMICS

Given the unprecedented school closures that resulted from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the School Board acknowledges the need for a policy that addresses epidemics and pandemics. Epidemics and pandemics, although related, are different. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an epidemic as "an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area," and a pandemic as "an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people." To address epidemics and pandemics, the Superintendent shall establish a Pandemic/Epidemic Response Team ("PERT") to develop a Pandemic/Epidemic Plan in coordination with local government and law enforcement officials. The PERT may work as part of or in coordination with the Environmental Safety Committee and the plan developed in accordance with Policy 8405 - Environmental Health and Safety Program. The Superintendent is granted authority to take appropriate action as required in any instance where the School Corporation's plan is inadequate or does not cover the particular situation being addressed and the urgency of the situation dictates the necessity for immediate decisive action.

The Pandemic/Epidemic Plan shall include:

1. a communication method for school schedule changes, busing changes, and school closures;
2. a designee responsible for communicating with the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana State Department of Health and other governmental entities;
3. an educational pandemic prevention program for staff and students;
4. provision for the business office to maintain continuity of operations during an epidemic or pandemic;
5. provision for continuous learning for students (i.e., Internet instruction, community channel broadcast, etc.) to maintain continuity of education;
6. procedures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases during an epidemic or pandemic, including routine cleaning/disinfecting of school sites and equipment;
7. procedures for staff and student absences and extended leaves of absence due to an epidemic or pandemic;
8. procedures for isolation and possible transportation of students and staff who become ill at school due to an epidemic or pandemic;
9. a plan of communication regarding epidemic and pandemic status to students, parents, and staff, including any restrictions imposed on staff or students upon travel to affected areas, which may include quarantine periods if recommended by authoritative health agencies;
10. a plan for operating the Corporation with less staff due to an epidemic or pandemic;
11. a designee responsible for establishing timelines within the Pandemic/Epidemic Plan and overseeing implementation of the plan and compliance with such timelines;
12. other emergency procedures necessary for the Corporation to address an epidemic or pandemic;
13. a plan for assessing cancellation of any planned staff or student travel, including field trips, competitions or performances, study abroad programs, or other travel that may involve travel to affected areas.

The Pandemic/Epidemic Plan shall be reviewed annually as needed by the PERT and updated as appropriate.

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