Students who do not comply with Oakland USD’s vaccine mandate by Jan. 1 face potential expulsion if they don’t enroll in remote learning or receive an exemption.
In finalizing the vaccination policy this week, the district’s school board is allowing exemptions for medical reasons, personal beliefs and students who have gotten their first or second shots but aren’t yet fully vaccinated.
Otherwise, students will have to transfer to Oakland USD’s long-term Sojourner Truth Independent Study school. Students who do not make the switch will be “unenrolled from the district after having been provided with sufficient information and opportunities to access the COVID-19 vaccine as well as progressive warnings,” says the policy, which was approved by a 4-3 vote on Oct. 27.
The policy is similar to those enacted by Los Angeles USD and Piedmont USD, the district says, noting the California statewide student vaccine mandates will take effect by the start of the 2022-2023 school year, if not earlier.
District staff is now contacting the families of vaccine-eligible children who do not have a COVID-19 vaccination record on file with the state to accurately assess who still needs to be immunized.
Staff are also requesting copies of vaccination cards or providing families with information about how and where to get vaccinated.
Oakland USD has teamed with county health officials and intends to work with other partners to provide widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“Remember that COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe, and effective, and are our best form of protection as we move into this holiday season, during which many of us will be gathering with loved ones, traveling, and spending more time indoors,” the district said a press release.
Feds pressure Florida as districts ease mandates
The battle in Florida over masks intensified further overnight Thursday, even as some of the districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates began loosening their requirements.
The U.S. Department of Education late Thursday filed a cease-and-desist complaint that asks a judge to order the state restore state funding withheld from the Broward and Alachua county school districts, two of about a dozen that defied the mask mandate ban.
Florida officials cut funding from the two districts equal to the amount of Project SAFE grants awarded by the Biden Administration to cover penalties imposed by the state.
“The U.S. Department of Education is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement. “This action taken by the department comes after we made repeated requests to work together and protect students, educators, and school communities. We believe Florida’s actions have violated federal law by reducing state funds based on the receipt by districts of federal funds.”
After speaking w/ local medical advisers & board members, noting the significant reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange Cty, and hearing @OCFLMayor announce the end of his local emergency order, I have determined not to extend our face mask mandate for students.
1/5 pic.twitter.com/If6fokJbpl— Dr. Barbara Jenkins (@SuptJenkins) October 28, 2021
Earlier this week, however, Broward County Public Schools allow high school students to ditch masks without having to submit any formal opt-out requests. Mandates remain in place for elementary and middle schools.
The School District of Manatee County made masks optional on Oct. 21 after the positivity rate in the county dropped below 5%. Orange County Public Schools is allowing parents to opt out of its mask mandate as of Nov. 1.
