OCLA has been informed that the Toronto District School Board will consider a motion on August 17, 2021, to “develop a strategy and protocol to require COVID-19 vaccination or testing for staff”.
A PDF file containing the motion was attached to the email.
The text of the email is below:
Sent by: TorontoDistrictSchoolBoard@tdsb.on.ca
Good Afternoon Staff,
We hope you are continuing to enjoy the summer and, where possible, have been able to enjoy the company of friends and loved ones. While we are nearly a month away from the first day of school, we wanted to provide another brief update on our plans to reopen the TDSB for the 2021-22 school year. As you know, the Ministry of Education has already released the COVID-19: Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021-2022). Based on these guidelines, staff are actively working to develop TDSB guidelines which may, in some areas, augment the standards set out by the Ministry.
While some measures — such as masking — will primarily remain the same, other areas — such as the screening tool — will look different. We are working to finalize these pieces as soon as possible so that we can share with staff prior to school resuming. We continue to work closely with the Ministry and Toronto Public Health to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support a safe return to school and work.
We also wanted you to be aware of a motion related to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing of staff to be discussed at the TDSB’s Planning and Priorities Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 17 at 4:30 p.m. At this point in time, this has not been approved by the Committee or the Board, but we wanted you to be aware of what is being discussed in the upcoming days. This motion reflects the advocacy to prioritize education workers for vaccinations in the spring and the more recent public debate and new policies recently announced by the federal government and other prominent organizations across the GTA as one of the tools to promote greater health and safety. We have included the draft motion below so you are aware of what is being discussed. On Tuesday, you can watch the discussion online.
As always, we will continue to provide updates as additional details are confirmed.
Thank you.
Motion
Whereas, public education is the cornerstone and foundation of a healthy, vital and progressive society; and
Whereas, keeping schools open has been deemed a priority for children’s learning, mental health and well-being; and
Whereas, data shows that being fully vaccinated significantly reduces the risks of the most serious outcomes of COVID-19, including the variants of concern to date; and
Whereas, vaccines are readily available throughout the City of Toronto through pop-up clinics across the city and in schools, mobile units, pharmacies, and city-run vaccination centres; and
Whereas, it is incumbent upon society to protect children under 12 who are ineligible to be vaccinated at this time and vulnerable populations who are at highest risk of developing complications from COVID-19; and
Whereas, Ontario has a precedent for requiring vaccinations to protect children and ensure schools remain as safe as possible;
Therefore, be it resolved:
(a) That the Director work collaboratively with Toronto Public Health, local health partners, and TDSB employee groups to develop a strategy and protocol to require COVID-19 vaccination or testing for staff, which can include a multipronged approach involving education and incentivization, to ensure TDSB workplaces remain as safe as possible for students and staff alike;
(b) That, should part (a) be adopted:
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the finalized protocol and strategy be implemented prior to school reopening on September 9 if feasible, or as soon as practicable thereafter;
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OPSBA, all Ontario Public School Boards, and all TDSB employee groups be notified of this resolution.
