Public Meeting Minutes: August 6, 2021 at 4:00 PM - Board of Education Emergency Meeting

1. Call meeting to order.

Discussion:

The Emergency Meeting was held in response to the letter to the District from the Lancaster County Health Department, dated August 5th, 2021, regarding the COVID -19 pandemic and "Return to School" planning, as the board needed to decide whether to immediately implement certain safety precautions, including the requirement that students and/or staff must wear face masks and/or take other safety precautions.

2. Open Meetings Act announcement.

Discussion: Board President Desh

3. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action on the recommendations outlined in the letter to the District from the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department, dated August 5, 2021, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and return-to-school planning and determine whether to immediately implement said recommendations, including the requirement that students and/or staff to wear face coverings and/or take other safety precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attachments: (2)

4. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action any other matters that need to be addressed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including any requirements, restrictions, or other precautions to be immediately implemented.

Discussion:

Board members had an opportunity to review the attached Lancaster County Health Department Letter and other documents (CDC Guidance, UNMC Playbook, etc.) to facilitate discussion on possible additional recommendations or adjustments for updating the current District OR-1 "Return to School" plan.
Additional information was provided by Jamie Juilfs regarding transmission rates and Delta Variant characteristics.
Discussion topics included: Covid transmission and hospitalization rates, community input, natural and vaccine immunity, masking pros and cons, authenticity, availability, and variety of various data sources, vaccine efficacy, mental health issues, and statutory authority for compliance.
Board member Wilen was able to participate in the discussion via phone.
No formal Board action was taken and the discussion will continue at the next regular board meeting on Monday, August 9, 2021.
Public comment will be available at the August 9th regular board meeting.

5. Adjourn meeting.

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

August 6, 2021 at 4:00 PM - Board of Education Emergency Meeting

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