Butler Area School District staff and administrators will continue to work on a required Health and Safety Plan before requesting board approval next week.
Superintendent Dr. Brian White presented his first version of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief requirements.
At the direction of the federal government, the state Department of Education is providing all districts with a template of information required to be filled out in order to receive federal funding.
“It does ask for us to articulate our position on a variety of issues related to COVID. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. My understanding is that they’re not going to say ‘you answered this incorrectly’ but rather we have to adopt a policy and put it on our website,” White said.
Details of Butler’s plan include no mask wearing requirement, no regular temperature screenings, and no vaccine mandate for students. This document will be reviewed and updated every six months with new guidance from the CDC. The plan must be approved by the board no later than July 30th.
At the direction of the board, Dr. White will review this first draft with the district solicitor and possibly make some additions or clarifications before the board votes on final approval and posting to the district’s website next week.