FILE:  EBBI

Cf:  EBBD, GAAB, JGCC

 

COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

 

 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting public health emergency, for the 2020-2021 school year, the Superintendent is authorized to develop, implement, and maintain administrative regulations and procedures necessary to protect employees, students, and others from the conditions giving rise to the declared emergency.

 

In the development and implementation of necessary administrative regulations and procedures for safely reopening schools and for maintaining the safety of employees, students, and others when schools are open during a health emergency, the Superintendent and staff shall rely upon the practices, guidelines, and suggestions of the Louisiana Department of Education in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health.  The Superintendent is authorized to develop and revise plans for reopening schools or maintaining the safety of employees, students, and others and to make required submissions to governmental authorities with regard thereto.

 

In the event that the Superintendent develops or implements administrative rules, regulations, or procedures, or alters the school district’s school reopening plan in any substantive fashion, he/she shall inform the School Board of such developments no later than the next regular meeting of the School Board.

 

The Orleans Parish School Board adopts and incorporates as if set forth fully herein the provisions of Chapter 4 of Bulletin 741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, for the 2020-2021 school year, and shall abide by the required health and safety standards included therein or in any amendments thereto.1  In no event shall the school district’s reopening plan for the 2020-2021 school year include any standard less than that required by Chapter 4 of Bulletin 741.

 

The Orleans Parish School Board shall require charter schools under its jurisdiction to adopt policies in accordance with Chapter 41 of Bulletin 126, Charter Schools, for the 2020-2021 school year.[2]

 

MEDICAL OR DISABILITY IMPACT EXCEPTIONS

 

As provided in Section 401(E) and Section 403(I) of Bulletin 741, the School Board recognizes that there may be medical or disability impact exceptions to one or more of these standards specific to a given student, employee, or other person, and such exceptions will be considered on an individual basis as set forth below.

 

  1. In order for a student to be granted an exception based upon a medical or disability issue:

 

  1. The parent or legal guardian of the student shall submit a written request for an exception to the school leader.

  2. The parent or legal guardian of the student shall identify the specific provision(s) of Bulletin 741, Chapter 4, to which the exception is applicable.

  3. The request shall include documentation from a qualified medical professional or healthcare provider identifying the medical or disability issue that the applicant contends affords the need for the exception.

  4. The request shall also include a reference to whether the exception is related to a service or accommodation afforded in an existing Section 504 plan, individualized education plan (IEP), or individualized health plan (IHP).

  5. If the application is related to an existing Section 504 plan, IEP, or IHP, the school leader shall convene a meeting of the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) to review the application and the existing Section 504 plan, IEP, or IHP to determine if an exception is needed or whether the plan can be modified to alleviate the need for the exception. The SBLC shall provide its recommendation to the school leader.

  6. All documentation related to the exception shall be incorporated into the student’s school record and, if applicable, made a part of the student’s Section 504 plan, IEP, or IHP.

 

  1. In order for an employee to be granted an exception based on a medical or disability issue:

 

  1. The employee shall submit a written request to the human resources department, in accordance with OPSB Policy GAAB, Individuals with Disabilities.

  2. The request shall identify the specific provision(s) of Chapter 4 to which the exception is applicable.

 

  1. In order for anyone other than a student or employee to be granted an exception based on a medical or disability issue, the individual seeking the exception must provide the school leader or worksite manager with documentation from a qualified medical professional or healthcare provider identifying the medical or disability issue that necessitates the request for the exception in order to determine whether there are any possible accommodations that can be made.

 

New policy:  July 30, 2020

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:439.1, 17:3391

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741

Charter Schools, Bulletin 126, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 7-30-20

 

Orleans Parish School Board


1 Any reference to Bulletin 741 includes, by reference, the interpretation given its language by the Louisiana Department of Education, including its FAQ and responses.

[2] Any reference to Bulletin 126 includes, by reference, the interpretation given its language by the Louisiana Department of Education, including its FAQ and responses.