Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging his support of local school districts' efforts to return to the safe, normal education of the County's children.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On November 9, 2021, El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala, along with the superintendents of all of El Dorado County's 15 K-12 school districts, sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, making several requests intended to help County schools return as fully as possible, to normal, in-person instruction.
The superintendents’ letter asked the Governor to allow local health authorities to tailor California Department of Public Health guidelines to individual communities’ unique conditions. The letter also urged that State vaccine requirements continue to include medical and religious exemptions. Further, the superintendents asked the State to identify whatever benchmarks must be met in order for universal masking in classrooms to end.
On November 16, 2021, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 145-2021 (Legistar 21-1767), which declared the County’s opposition to vaccine mandates for schoolchildren. The resolution also affirmed that individuals who desire the vaccine should have easy access to it, and that “El Dorado County families should have the right to make their own health care choices and move freely in society.”
Also on November 16, by way of the Board agenda item proposing the above resolution, the Board directed the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter to the Governor, supporting the November 9th letter to him from the El Dorado County school superintendents.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could elect not to send the letter.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 21-1767 (11/16/21)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
El Dorado County Office of Education
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are not costs or financial impact associated with this recommendation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain a signed copy from the Board Chair's signature and provide a signed copy to the Chief Administrative Office for distribution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Don Ashton, MPA
Chief Administrative Officer