Communicable Disease-COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan

On July 28, 2021, Governor Asa Hutchinson declared Arkansas to be in state of a public health emergency due to a surge of cases of Delta variant of COVID-19 and our hospital I.C.U. beds are at capacity or near to capacity. On August 3, 2021, the Arkansas Legislature voted to approve the Governor’s public health emergency. 

The Delta variant has caused an increase in the number of Arkansas children being hospitalized, placed on ventilators, and who have died from COVID-19. Children younger than 12 years old are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

In consideration of the recommendations and guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Harrisburg School District is implementing this Emergency Exposure Control Plan for all students and employees of the District as part of Communicable Disease Policy (Policy 4.34) and Licensed & Classified Personnel Use of PPE Policies (Policies 3.55 & 8.43).

This resolution shall be effective from August 16, 2021 until the end of the 2021-22 school year. The resolution will provide an avenue to review the district mask mandate approximately every 30 days or at each regularly scheduled meeting of the Harrisburg Schools Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will consider the recommendations and guidance issued by the CDC, ADH, DESE, and other local health officials in the decision making process, as well as the current level of Covid-19 in our district and community in making the decision.

SCREENING
For approved visitors to buildings, screening by nurses and office staff with digital thermometers will continue as well as proper signage regarding COVID 19. The frequency, manner, and place of such visitors allowed and screenings shall be implemented under the direction of the Superintendent or his designee.

FACE COVERINGS

STUDENTS
Until further notice, regardless of vaccination status,  students are required to wear a mask or face covering (a) while attending school or a school function in any school building, facility or other area of a school campus, and (b) when riding in school-provided transportation. All masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the student. This applies to students waiting outside school buildings before and after school, and to students on buses. Students shall wear masks and face coverings at all times except for the following:
Students may remove masks and face coverings for eating or drinking;
Students may remove masks and face coverings when appropriate social distancing measures are in place as determined by a School District staff member;
Students may be exempted from this Emergency Plan by the school administration due to a documented medical condition of the student;
Students may remove masks and face coverings on a case-by-case basis for specific instructional needs, including recess, physical education, and athletic activities, as determined by a District staff member, in which case the staff member will require appropriate social distancing measures to the extent possible; or
Students may be exempted from this Emergency Plan due to special behavioral or individualized needs as determined by the Director of Special Services or the administration.

Students who fail to wear PPE when necessary at school or at a school function under this Exposure Control Plan shall be subject to enforcement consistent with District Policy.

EMPLOYEES
Until further notice, all District employees, regardless of vaccination status, shall be required to wear a mask or face covering while working or attending a school function in any school building, facility or other area of a school campus. All masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the employee. Employees shall wear masks and face coverings at all times except for the following:
Employees may remove masks and face coverings for eating and drinking;
Employees may remove masks and face coverings when appropriate social distancing measures are in place- i.e. working in an office; or outside away from others
Employees may be exempted from this Emergency Policy by the Superintendent due to a documented medical condition of the employee.

Employees who fail to wear PPE when necessary at school or at a school function under this Exposure Control Plan shall be subject to enforcement consistent with District Policy.

***For school-sponsored events, masks will only be mandated at large indoor events where social distancing is not possible. Masks will not be required at outdoor activities.

CLEANING and SANITATION
Until further notice, all District employees will be required to help with cleaning as needed while working or attending a school function in any school building, facility or other area of a school campus. All employees shall assist as needed in the following manner:
Cleaning common spaces, high touch surfaces, restrooms, and students’ desks will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the school day as scheduled.
Sanitizing buses after each route.
Athletics will continue to adhere to all guidelines set by the ADH and Arkansas Activities Association which includes all disinfecting and sanitizing of facilities and equipment.
Cafeteria will assist in advanced sanitization practices
Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing will be encouraged by staff for students using schedules.

Harrisburg School District is implementing this Emergency Exposure Control Plan for all students and employees per ADH, DESE and CDC guidance and as part of Communicable Disease Policy (Policy 4.34) and Licensed & Classified Personnel Use of PPE Policies (Policies 3.55 & 8.43) We reserve the right to make changes as information is updated by the CDC, ADH and DESE.