The Upper Grand School District School Board is following the Toronto District School Board’s lead on developing a mandatory vaccine plan for staff, trustees and visitors in schools.
UGDSB trustee Linda Busuttil said the focus of the initiative is to keep staff, students and the community safe.
The board unanimously passed a motion on Tuesday stating that the director of education be directed to work with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, local health partners, and UGDSB employee groups to develop a strategy and protocol to require all UGDSB staff, trustees, and visitors to disclose and provide proof of vaccination status.
“We are employers, it is our responsibility of health and safety, to keep our staff safe,” said Busuttil.
The procedure will require all individuals to submit a formal attestation if they are ‘fully vaccinated’ against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination. It will also require those who have not been vaccinated to attend mandatory education on the benefits of vaccination.
The procedure requires a schedule of dates by which point any unvaccinated individuals must disclose if they have received first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The motion also requires that the procedure examine where regular COVID-19 testing would be required.
“I think the community has also been looking to us to lead actively and to be strategic around what we're doing in our schools given the changing community circuit circumstances,” said Busuttil.
“There has been no policy or policy framework from the Ministry of Education and so as employers in this kind of empty gap, we as employers need to do something and I'm urging us to act and do as other boards have in adopting some kind of a motion.”
The finalized procedure is directed to be implemented prior to school re-opening on Sept. 7 or as soon as possible after.
Over a week ago, the province stated that it would put a policy in place requiring educational workers to either participate in a rapid testing program or get fully vaccinated. Busuttil said if the ministry comes out with direction on the Friday before school, the board would at least have something already in place that can be amended.
“The statements that have been released by the ministry don't really help us start the school year. I don't know when they intend to give us clues as to what exactly is supposed to happen with these vague statements,” said trustee Robin Ross.
“We as employers need to do something and I'm urging us to act and do as other boards have in adopting some kind of a motion” said Busuttil.
The motion states that UGDSB will comply with its human rights obligations and accommodate employees who are legally entitled to accommodation.
UGDSB's detailed back to school plan can be seen here.
