Date Approved: May 17 2022
Date Reviewed/Amended:
The District, in cooperation with the provincial government and Northern Health Authority, supports efforts to minimize a pandemic and its disruption to the operational activities of the District. Principals, managers and staff are expected to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources for the maximum benefit and protection of students, staff and facilities.
In the event that Northern Health Authority identifies evidence of a significant communicable disease outbreak in the region, the Superintendent has the authority to make decisions regarding crisis response. When a state of emergency is declared by a Ministry of the Government, the particular Ministry will have such authority.
The Board of Education recognizes that the legal authority to close a school for public health reasons falls under the purview of the Provincial Health Officer and the local Medical Health Officer. The Superintendent will take direction regarding the closure of schools from them.
The Superintendent will communicate a standard set of response protocols for dealing with the pandemic, in a Pandemic Response Plan, to ensure that all employees, students and families are familiar with their roles and responsibilities in the event of an outbreak.
In accordance with directives emanating from federal and provincial authorities and the consequent circumstances that may prevail, the Superintendent may temporarily suspend the District’s current practices and operating guidelines as necessary.
References:
School Act Section 17, 20, 22, 65, 85
School Regulation 265/89