8420.01 - 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 District Administrator shall develop an Epidemic/Pandemic Plan in coordination with local government and law enforcement officials. The Epidemic/Pandemic Plan may be developed in accordance with the plan developed pursuant to Policy 8405 - Environmental Health and Safety Program. District administration is granted authority to take appropriate action as required in any instance where the District's plan does not cover the particular situation being addressed, and the urgency of the situation dictates the necessity for immediate decisive action.

The Epidemic/Pandemic Plan should include:

1. a communication method for school schedule changes, busing changes, and school closures;
2. a designee responsible for communicating with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services 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 distance-based learning for students (i.e., Internet instruction, community channel broadcast) to maintain continuity of education;
6. procedures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases during an epidemic or pandemic, including routine cleaning of school sites;
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 District with less staff due to an epidemic or pandemic;
11. a designee responsible for establishing timelines within the Epidemic/Pandemic Plan and ensuring that such timelines are met and implementation of the plan occurs;
12. other emergency procedures necessary for the District to deal with an epidemic or pandemic;
13. a plan for determining whether to cancel 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 Epidemic/Pandemic Plan should be reviewed annually and updated as appropriate.

© Neola 2023