NJSBA has added the following policies for compliance with Executive Order No. 251 and Executive Order 253 pertaining to preventing the spread of COVID-19 when schools reopen in September.
Executive Order No. 251 requires that face coverings be worn and social distancing practiced in school buildings. Executive Order No. 253 requires eligible staff, contracted employees, vendors, volunteers, providers and any other individuals working in the schools where regular visits to the schools are part of the individual’s job duties, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to routine COVID-19 testing.
5141.10 Face Coverings This is a new policy covering the requirements of Executive Order No. 251, and Executive Order 253, and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The school district shall require that all staff, students, and visitors use face coverings in the indoor portion of the school premises.
Executive Order 253, specifies that individuals seeking a medical exemption from mask wearing shall produce written documentation from a medical professional (e.g. licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse) to support the exemption. Self-attestations and parental attestations are not sufficient for this purpose.
5141.11 Vaccination and Testing This is a new policy covering the requirements of Executive Order 253.
In accordance with Executive Order 253, as of October 18, 2021, all staff members who are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 must receive the vaccine or be subject to routine COVID-19 testing. Executive Order 253 also applies to contracted employees, vendors, providers and any other individuals working in the schools where regular visits to the schools are part of the individual’s job duties, including volunteers.
Routine testing for COVID-19 must, at minimum, be administered one to two times weekly. The board has the discretion to determine if unvaccinated employees will be required to be tested for COVID-19 one or two times a week or more often.
The employee is required to demonstrate proof of full vaccination. The district is responsible for tracking test results and reporting such results to local public health departments.
The collection of and storage of test results, examination results and proof of vaccination documentation shall comport with board policies (3570 District Records and Reports, 4112.6/4212.6 Personnel Records) and all federal and state laws, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act, that regulate the collection and storage of that information.
You may directly download this policy update from the Critical Policy Reference Manual (CPRM) district or charter versions or the Policy Update List on your password-protected Policy Resources webpage.
You may also contact a policy consultant at (609)278-5268 or via email: Jean Harkness or Steve McGettigan, policy manager. An updated regulation is also available upon request.