Page 20 - The Edge - Fall 2020

New laws, AG opinions helping schools deal with COVID-19

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

an anti-suicide hotline be placed on student identification requirements, and gives schools the authority to pay
cards so they can call to get help, he said. employees who are working remotely.

SB1012 enables schools to discuss school-related A much bigger issue, which is not resolved, is whether
safety plans in executive session. And, SB1042 allows schools face any liability if a student or employee
security plans to be discussed in executive session. contracts COVID-19. “Everybody is holding their breath
While approval by the Governing Board must be in on what is the scope of (their) liability in relation to
public, details of security measures may be kept private, COVID-19 claims,” Thomas said. “Schools are hoping
Thomas explained. for some relief from the state and local government to
shield them from liability.”
HB2910, what Thomas referred to as “the big one,”
covers several key areas regarding school closures “Many schools are rethinking their
stemming from COVID-19. It passed after the crisis hit
and provides schools with much-needed relief, Thomas relationship to school resource
said. He explained that the changes are not in statute, but officers, whether that means ending

are in session law and will expire when the crisis ends.
that relationship or adjusting it to
Among the temporary changes, HB2910 provides relief be more supportive and seemingly
from required hours and days; from required testing;
from transportation funding; and from special education less like an enforcement role.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Leverage your energy

savings to enhance the

learning environment

At Schneider Electric, our mission is simple: to
optimize the learning environment and improve
student performance by redirecting utility dollars
back into the classroom. Our capital recovery and
reinvestment solution finds the funding needed to
not only alleviate deferred maintenance but also to
achieve your vision for modernizing the classroom
and maximizing student engagement. Contact us
today to learn how we can enable you to achieve • Modernize the learning environment
your District’s goals. • STEM/student engagement
Tom.Milroy@se.com opportunities
Brandon.Woodward@se.com • Alleviate unfunded needs and
deferred maintenance
schneider-electric.us/enable • Campus and network safety/security

|
20 THE EDGE FALL 2020