Kristin D. Lindgren Associate

Fall Checklist for Community College Districts

As community college districts look toward the Fall 2020 semester, they will be making significant operational decisions about the way they will be offering programs and services. The current economic outlook, continued uncertainty about shelter-in-place orders as a result of COVID-19, and possible State budget cuts, will also affect districts. These are difficult and unprecedented circumstances, and districts have dual responsibilities to their students and employees to ensure a smooth transition into Fall 2020. This checklist is intended to assist districts in preparing for issues that may arise as a result of COVID-19.

DOE Announces States May Seek Waiver of Standardized Testing Requirements

On March 20, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued a press release (found here https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/helping-students-adversely-affected-school-closures-secretary-devos-announces-broad-flexibilities-states-cancel-testing-during-national-emergency )

announcing that the Department of Education would provide broad flexibility to all states regarding the assessment and accountability requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) due to widespread school closures in response to the coronavirus/COVID-19.

California Legislature Passes SB 117 to Provide Protections for School Districts Closed Due to COVID-19 and Funding for Protective Equipment and Supplies and Labor for Cleaning School Sites

On March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom signed SB 117, an education budget trailer bill, that includes protections for school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools (hereafter “local educational agencies” or “LEA’s”) that have closed, or will close, due to COVID-19. Most importantly, SB 117 provides LEA’s will not lose funding due to COVID-19 closures. The bill supports Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-26-20 which provided protections for school funding. (Our bulletin on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order is found here. The bill also waives other requirements and timelines to support LEA’s that have closed and appropriates $100,000,000 in funding for the purchase of protective equipment and for the supplies and labor required for additional cleaning of school sites for LEA’s that provided classroom-based instruction after March 4, 2020 and before June 30, 2020.

FAQ’s for Community College Districts on Responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Student Issues

In the past month, COVID-19, the illness caused by the Coronavirus, spread throughout much of the world, including to the United States.  California has now reported its first fatality associated with the virus, and Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency.  Given the scope of the virus’s spread and the fact that health professionals do not anticipate a vaccine will be available for approximately one year, community college districts must be prepared with information for prevention of the spread of the virus, and other concerns around students and staff who may be exposed to the virus or who become ill. 

FAQ’s for School Districts on Responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Student Issues

In the past month, COVID-19, the illness caused by the Coronavirus spread throughout much of the world, including to the United States.  California has now reported its first fatality associated with the virus, and Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency.  Some school districts have announced closures due to the virus. Given the scope of the virus’s spread and the fact that health professionals do not anticipate a vaccine will be available for approximately one year, school districts and county offices of education must be prepared with information for prevention of the spread of the virus, and other concerns around students and staff who may be exposed to the virus or who become ill. 

How School Districts and Community College Districts Should Respond to Employees’ Exposure to COVID-19

This Special Bulletin follows up on our February 5, 2020 Special Bulletin on COVID-19, the novel coronavirus of 2019.  The information in that Special Bulletin remains valid, including those steps individuals can take to lessen the spread of the virus.