COVID-19
C-19.1 Temporary Policies and Regulations Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
C-19.1 Temporary Policies and Regulations Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
The Madison Board of Education (the “Board”) recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”) has prompted changes in laws, rules, and guidance affecting Board policy and school district operation, and requiring the Board and the administration of the Madison Public Schools (the “Administration”) to implement certain changes consistent with such laws, rules, and guidance. The Board further recognizes that the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic are continually changing, and that the Board and the Administration must be prepared to adapt and evolve as appropriate and/or required. In all circumstances, the Board prioritizes safeguarding the health and safety of students and staff while continuing to educate students in accordance with state law.
In light of these circumstances, it is the policy of the Board to provide for temporary amendments to certain existing Board policies and administrative regulations, and to enact or authorize Board policies and administrative regulations on new topics, to the extent appropriate and/or required by applicable laws, rules, and guidance regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic (the “COVID-19 Policies and Regulations”). Such amendments and additions are guided by the need to (1) safeguard the health and safety of students and staff while continuing to educate students in accordance with state law; (2) adhere to all applicable laws, rules, and guidance; and (3) preserve flexibility for the Board and the Administration to account for further changes related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
All COVID-19 Policies and Regulations shall be identified as such in the header of the Policy or Regulation with an indication that such policy or regulation is part of Series C19 (COVID-19 Policies and Regulations). COVID-19 Policies and Regulations that are amendments to existing policies or regulations shall have the identifier “C19” added after the applicable series number. In addition, all amendments to existing Board policies and administrative regulations shall be identified as such through the use of yellow highlighting and either bolded italicized text (for additions) or strikethrough text (for deletions). All Board policies and administrative regulations on new topics shall be identified as such in the title of the Policy or Regulation with the notation, “(NEW).” To the extent any conflict exists between a COVID-19 Policy and Regulation and an existing Board policy or administrative regulation, the COVID-19 Policy and Regulation shall control during any period in which the COVID-19 Policy and Regulation is in effect.
The COVID-19 Policies and Regulations shall remain in effect up to and including June 30, 2021, unless otherwise noted in the individual policy or unless the Board or the Administration (as appropriate) shortens or extends the term of any COVID-19 Policy and Regulation through appropriate Board or administrative action. Absent any further Board or administrative action (as appropriate), effective July 1, 2021, the COVID-19 Policies and Regulations shall be repealed automatically and the Board’s policies and administrative regulations in effect prior to the enactment of the COVID-19 Policies and Regulations shall be reinstated.
The Board and/or the Administration (as appropriate) shall provide for further amendments to existing Board policies and administrative regulations, further additions to Board policies and administrative regulations, and revisions to any previously adopted COVID-19 Policies and Regulations to the extent appropriate, required, and/or warranted. In addition, the Board and the Administration shall have the authority to follow all applicable laws, rules, and guidance to the extent any such laws, rules, and guidance are not incorporated into any existing Board policy and/or administrative regulation. To the extent any conflict exists between any such laws, rules, and/or guidance and an existing Board policy or administrative regulation, the law, rule, and/or guidance shall control during any period in which the Board and the Administration exercise their authority to follow such law, rule, and/or guidance.
Legal References:
Connecticut General Statutes § 10-221
Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together, Connecticut State Department of Education (June 29, 2020)
Date of Adoption: August 25, 2020
C-19.4 Mask / Face Coverings
C-19.4 Mask / Face Coverings
Students and all individuals being transported on student transportation vehicles are required to wear masks/face coverings that cover the nose and mouth (masks/covering must be worn prior to boarding the vehicle), in accordance with the District’s Transportation Protocols. Please see below for additional procedures for mask exemption requirements.
Students, staff and all individuals inside the school building are required to wear masks/face coverings that covers the nose and mouth except if: (i) the individual cannot wear the mask/face covering because the individual has difficulty breathing, is unconscious, or incapacitated; (ii) the individual cannot remove the mask without assistance; (iii) the individual has a documented medical reason making it unsafe to wear a mask; (iv) the student is in preschool; or (v) the individual has a disability that causes the individual to be unable to wear a mask/face covering.
Masks/face coverings may only be removed within the school building for the following reasons: (i) eating/drinking; (ii) on school grounds with appropriate social distancing implemented; and (iii) educational or medical activities requiring removal of masks (speech and language, evaluations, etc.) ONLY under circumstances when the school has implemented appropriate mitigating measures (such as gowns, face shields, additional social distancing, physical barriers for District employees and/or students).
If a student claims a medical or disability-related exemption from wearing a mask or face covering, District shall follow the Decision Tree - Mask Exemptions in these Protocols. If the District determines the request is based on medical need, the parent or guardian and the student’s treating physician must complete the Mask/Face Covering Exemption Request Form. If the District determines the request is based on disability (skill deficit), the District shall promptly convene a PPT or Section 504 meeting as appropriate to discuss and consider necessary programming revisions, accommodations, modifications, etc.
Students shall be offered mask breaks during the school day. A mask break consists of the student removing the mask or face covering from the student’s own nose and mouth for a short period of time. To permit a mask break, individuals who are indoors must be 6 feet apart or using protective barriers such as a personal desk or face shield. Mask breaks are preferably taken outdoors with a distance of 6 feet or more.
Date of Adoption: August 25, 2020
