Lifting of COVID Mandates

LDOE Board Approved on May 2, 2023

With the lifting of all COVID mandates as per Executive Order #8, the LDOE Board of Education at a duly called special board meeting approved the following revisions to the LDOE COVID mandates effective May 2, 2023. All previous LDOE Board of Education prior actions are superseded by this action. Items in blue print are only applicable to the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) through June 23, 2023.

1. All COVID testing is optional and not mandated across the board.
2. All vaccines and booster shots are optional and not mandated across the board.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is optional, such as mask wearing and gloves at all programs except DEC. For the age group of our children and their vulnerability, DEC will continue to follow all COVID safe practices to include, masks by children two years old and up, and all DEC staff until the last day of school, June 23.
4. Social distancing mandate is lifted, for example; in the cafeteria, gymnasium, classrooms, other school events, etc.
5. Limiting the number of individuals who can meet in an enclosed area is no longer required. Facility capacity will govern the number of individuals permitted in a gathering space.
6. Temperature scans are no longer mandated when entering an LDOE building.
7. LES and LMS student temperature scans are no longer mandated when loading a school bus.
8. DEC students will continue with the required temperature scans when loading the bus.
9. DEC MFEAs will continue as bus monitors, assist with cleaning/sanitization, and in classrooms as needed.
10. COVID safe practices continue to be recommended; hand washing and sanitizing, cover mouth when sneezing/coughing, etc.
11. Sanitizers will be available in the school building entry points and through-out the facilities.
12. If a student is feeling ill, he/she is encouraged to stay home. Monitor and if showing COVID symptoms, it is recommended he/she take a rapid test and if the result is positive, it is recommended the student get a PCR test, which is the most reliable. If the test is positive, follow the physician’s orders. There may be a cost associated with a PCR test, parent is responsible for the cost.
13. If a student becomes ill in school, he/she will be referred to the health aide. Health aide will carry out protocols which vary depending on the symptoms.
14. Facilities will continue to be fogged bi-weekly and weekly at the DEC program facilities.
15. Busses will continue to be fogged weekly at DEC.
16. Busses will continue to be disinfected afterschool each school day at LES & LMS, as needed.
17. If an LDOE employee is feeling ill, he/she is encouraged to stay home. Self-monitor and if showing COVID symptoms, it is recommended they take a rapid test, if test result is positive, it is recommended you get a PCR test, which is the most reliable. If the PCR test result is positive, follow the physician’s orders. There may be a cost associated with a PCR test, employee is responsible for the cost. EOC no longer needs to be notified of a positive case and/or self-quarantine.
18. LDOE COVID testing will no longer be administered on-site.
19. Employees will no longer be required to provide copies of vaccination card to LDOE.
20. Parents/Guardians will no longer be required to provide copies of vaccination card to LDOE.
21. In the case of a student exposure, it is recommended the parent monitor the student and if experiencing symptoms, it is recommended the student get tested. Follow the physician’s orders. Parent is responsible for the cost.
22. In the case of an employee exposure, it is recommended the employee self-monitor and if experiencing symptoms, get tested. Follow the physician’s orders.
23. COVID leave sunsets (no longer available) upon the approval of these revisions.
24. In the case of a spike in the number of positive cases, the EOC may implement measures which are in the best interest of the public.
25. Visitor restrictions are lifted. We welcome our communities to visit the schools. Facility capacity will determine the number of participants participating in DEC, LES and LMS events.
26. For SY 2023-24, therapists are welcome on site and in the classrooms to provide services and for student observations.
27. For the age group of our children and their vulnerability, DEC will continue to follow all COVID safe practices to include, masks by children two years old and up, and all DEC staff until the last day of school, June 23, 2023.

Approved by the LDOE Board of Education on May 2, 2023.

Petra Solimon, Interim Superintendent