By JESSICA BRICKER
Northern Wells Community Schools join other districts in waiting out a Supreme Court decision on the federal vaccine mandate for employers of 100 staffers or more.
Superintendent Mike Springer told the NWCS board Tuesday that if the highest court upholds the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule, it would have major implications for the district.
There is a $14,000 fine per reported violation if the mandate is not followed. The district may not have a choice, he said, and he’s not willing to risk taxpayer money.
Personally, Springer added, he believes the rule — which would require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to wear a mask and be tested once a week — is unnecessary because of practicality issues and because he believes the school district’s policies are efficient in addressing the spread of the virus.
Questions are also raised in light of a nationwide test shortage: What does that mean for teachers who are unable to access tests; will they be required to miss work?
Some companies have the ability to work remotely.
“We can’t do that,” Springer said.
Corey Krug, who was voted in Tuesday as board president, said the matter could be deferred to the states to decide how to handle such a mandate.
Also on Tuesday, Technology Director Jeff Miller provided an update on the door lock system upgrades. There were four bidders for the work, which Wireless Network Solutions out of Lafayette won.
Miller said the goals are to reduce the number of keys staff members have to worry about while focusing on staff and student security. The door locks are programmable and accessible via key fobs or swipe cards.
Tentatively, doors at Ossian and Lancaster Central elementary schools will be upgraded by the start of the next school year with the high school and middle school to follow.
Meanwhile, the district’s continuing education guidance document was revised to allow the reduction of a quarantine period from 10 to five days to follow federal recommendations.
Quarantine periods can be reduced if symptoms improve, there is no fever present for 24 hours and if the student/staffer wears a mask for five days after returning to the classroom.
jessica@news-banner.com
