INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional School (RDCRS) division trustees have approved a new COVID-19 vaccination protocol specifically designed to cover elected board members.
Last month the division implemented administrative procedure #162 requiring all full-time, part-time, hourly, substitute, permanent, temporary and casual employees to either produce proof of vaccination or take rapid COVID-19 tests two times a week or have an approved medical exemption. It also covers parents, visitors and volunteers on school property for more than 15 minutes.
However, the procedure #162 does not cover trustees, prompting board members to pass the separate protocol at the recent regularly scheduled board meeting.
Under the new protocol trustees must submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 by March 15 or beginning that date and continuing thereafter provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid test.
Trustee could also choose instead to attend meeting and events online only beginning March 15 or apply for an exemption under legislation outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act.
The new protocol applies to trustees acting in their official capacity. Trustees entering division property as volunteers or parents are require to adhere to administrative policy #162.
The Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) vaccination procedure now in place covers trustees, as well as teachers and others.
Students are not required to show proof of vaccination Alberta schools.
RDCRS includes schools in Innisfail and Olds.
