The Washoe County School District now reports five cases of whooping cough at Damonte Ranch High School (DRHS).
Last week, the WCSD said that 19 unvaccinated students voluntarily unenrolled from the high school amid the reported cases.
WCSD previously told us that 19 teachers also chose not to return to work for a period of 21 days. This was per protocol, however, the return date for the excluded students has been extended to December 5th.
WCSD sent out these protocols for employees affected below:
Consistent with past practice, if an employee is required to be excluded because they are demonstrating symptoms or have a confirmed diagnosis the employee may utilize available sick leave in order to remain in a paid status. Employees who do not have sick leave available may be eligible to apply for additional leave through their respective employee association’s sick leave bank, if applicable and based on the association’s eligibility criteria.
Similarly, if an employee is being excluded because their immunizations are not current or can’t be confirmed, sick leave may be utilized for the time missed from work. In the event the employee does not have sufficient leave time available (or does not wish to use leave accruals) to cover the time missed from work, make up days may be completed during one of the scheduled school breaks or at the end of the school year. Employees should work with their Administrator to identify appropriate make up days and work to be completed keeping in mind that make up work may or may not be aligned to their normal work responsibilities. For example, work done after school is out for the year may include tasks related to site closure for the summer. If an employee does not have available leave and does not wish to complete a future make up day, they may opt to take leave without pay for the time missed. If an employee opts for leave without pay they should be mindful that their PERS service credit may be impacted (if applicable). They must also notify their Timekeeper upon exclusion from work that they wish to take leave without pay.
Additional information will be provided separately to Administrators and Timekeepers regarding make up days and the appropriate type of make up work.
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WCSD sent protocols for students who unenrolled below:
• Under the direction of the Washoe County Health District, we have circulated information regarding immunization requirements for both students and staff members.
o Students/staff must wait seven days after immunization to return to school.
o If students/staff decline to receive the immunization for any reason, they must wait 21 days (the incubation period for pertussis) to return to school.
o If they return after 21 days and another case is confirmed in the school, they must leave school and wait an additional 21 days to return.
• After canvassing school records, we have learned that fewer than two dozen students are not fully immunized. We have contacted the impacted families directly to inform them of their options:
o immunization/7-day exclusion
o decline immunization/21-day exclusion
• Under state law which governs school attendance and absenteeism, secondary school students who miss 10 percent or more of their classes are classified as “chronically absent”, and could fail their courses based upon their lack of attendance.
• Under the current mandates from the Health District, students who are unable/unwilling to get the immunization would be classified as “chronically absent” because of the number of days (15 school days/21 days overall) they are required to miss school. This exceeds the 10 percent limit set down in state law.
• As a result… The Washoe County School District is taking the following actions to support students who are impacted by the situation at DRHS:
o Students are being given the option to “withdraw” (un-enroll) from school. We are encouraging this option so they are not classified as chronically absent from school.
o School staff will send home their homework so they are able to keep up with their classwork and not fall behind.
o Their spots will be kept open for them in all of their classes, enabling them to resume the same schedule/teachers when the 21 days has elapsed.
• Ultimately, students and their families have a choice about whether to withdraw, but in keeping with the District’s commitment to helping and supporting all students, we are encouraging families to seriously consider this option.
• All impacted students are already re-enrolled for the date they may return.
