As a service to our members, the New Jersey School Boards Association is offering information and guidance on school district preparation in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
For the latest information, bookmark this resource page, which will be updated frequently: www.njsba.org/COVID-19.
This resource page includes guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Education, National School Boards Association and other organizations, as well as model and sample policies developed by the NJSBA School Policy Service on subjects relevant to the current situation.
PLEASE NOTE: In the coming weeks, NJSBA will also offer webinars, podcasts, videos and Facebook Live events focusing on the challenges facing local school boards and school districts during the current public health emergency.
State and National Resources
Broadband Options for Students Information on free access for students while schools remain closed, March 18, 2020.
Updates and Frequently Asked Questions Related to COVID-19 School Closures A 15-page New Jersey Department of Education document addresses issues related to testing, nutrition programs, graduation requirements and staffing while schools are shut down, March 17, 2020.
Executive Order 104 Governor Murphy’s order closing all schools and establishing other emergency procedures, March 16, 2020.
Governor Murphy Orders Aggressive Social Distancing Measures, March 16, 2020.
Emergency Procurement at the Local Level Local Finance Notice issued by the Division of Local Government Services, Department of Community Affairs, March 16, 2020
Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 while Protecting the Civil Rights of Students Fact Sheet issued by the U.S. Department of Education, March 16, 2020
Requirements to Implement a Public Health-Related School Closure Supplemental guidance issued by the New Jersey Department of Education, March 13, 2020.
Open Public Meetings Act and Technology The latest information from the NJSBA Legal & Labor Relations Department and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, March 12 and 13.
COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions Related to School Emergency Preparedness Plans, New Jersey Department of Education, March 13, 2020.
How school professionals can create a safe environment for children during times of stress and disruption Advice from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, March 13, 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Information from the U.S. Department of Education, March 12, 2020
NJDOE Novel Coronavirus Resource Page A regularly updated list of resources from the New Jersey Department of Education.
Responding to the Coronavirus A resource page from the National School Boards Association.
Guidance for School Settings Before and During Outbreak Information from the New Jersey Department of Health, March 12, 2020.
Guidance Regarding Requirements for Public Health-Related School Closure The New Jersey Department of Education addresses the 180-day instructional requirement in light of health-related school closings. Issued March 5, 2020.
New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care and K-12 Schools The latest guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health, UPDATED March 4, 2020.
Updated 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Child Care and K-12 Schools Memo from the New Jersey Department of Education, issued on March 3, 2020.
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Developed by the CDC, this online reference includes a section on “Guidance for schools which do not have COVID-19 identified in their community.”
COVID-19: Preparing for Widespread Illness in Your School Community Developed by the National School Boards Association, in collaboration with the National Association of School Nurses, the document addresses “Planning for COVID-19 Challenges in Your School District,” offers links to resources from the health agencies, and includes a “COVID-19 Planning Checklist.”
COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel Information from the U.S. Department of Education
NJSBA Policies
The following NJSBA sample policies may be of assistance:
- 5141.2 Illness – Covers control of contagious diseases or conditions.
- 4112.4 Health — Exposure control plan and bloodborne pathogens.
- 5141 Health – Covers preparation for the potential disruption of a pandemic flu outbreak, and includes a link to federal resources on pandemic influenza.
- 6173 – Home instruction during prolonged absence.
The NJSBA will continue to monitor the situation and provide more resources and information as they become available.