Today, Governor Wolf announced the Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health mandating universal face coverings within K-12 schools and childcare facilities while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This order will take effect on September 7, 2021, and applies to the public and private education sectors. As of the date of this Order, there have been 1,300,368 … [Read more...] about Governor Wolf Announces State-Wide Mask Mandate for All Pennsylvania Schools
School Law Bullet
Does Religious Exemption Hold Same Legal Weight As Medical Exemption Against School Mandates?
With the return of in person students and the resurgence of COVID-19 Delta variant, masking mandates for many schools is the new reality. A recent decision in the 6th Circuit held that mask mandates do not violate Free Exercise or Equal Protection clauses. (Resurrection Sch. et al. v. Hertel et al.) Whenever a mandate is present, exceptions are an inevitable concomitant. We are accustomed to two … [Read more...] about Does Religious Exemption Hold Same Legal Weight As Medical Exemption Against School Mandates?
Update to Title IX Regulations: The New Department Of Education Speaks
On May 19, 2020, the Department of Education (DOE) published new Title IX Regulations, officially titled “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance,” in the Federal Register. Despite the Covid 19 pandemic closing virtually all schools, the Regulations became effective August 14, 2020. Unlike the Obama-era “Dear Colleague … [Read more...] about Update to Title IX Regulations: The New Department Of Education Speaks
What Does Long COVID Mean For Your Students?
One of the many concerning consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the emergence of “long COVID” — the general term for long-term symptoms and effects experienced by those who have contracted COVID-19. Just as schools have had to adapt and react to those with acute symptoms of this deadly virus, they must also understand and react to members of the school community experiencing long COVID. … [Read more...] about What Does Long COVID Mean For Your Students?
COVID Prevention Strategies Remain Critical to Protect School Communities This Fall
On July 16, 2021, PDE advised school entities to follow current CDC guidance. The PDE and DOH did NOT release separate state guidance or recommendations for the start of the 2021-22 school year. Therefore, the most updated guidance is found in Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools on the CDC website. Below are some important pieces for school leaders to note. Where We Were You may … [Read more...] about COVID Prevention Strategies Remain Critical to Protect School Communities This Fall
Amendments to Sunshine Law Make Big Changes in School Board Meeting Procedures
Act 65, effective August 29, 2021, tightens agenda requirements for school board meetings. Act 65 of 2021 will amend the Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. §§701-716, to require the following: 1. All public agencies currently covered under the Sunshine Act must provide notice of agency business on an Agenda, which must include a listing of each matter of agency business that will or may be the subject of … [Read more...] about Amendments to Sunshine Law Make Big Changes in School Board Meeting Procedures
