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By Dylana Kneeshaw

KAMLOOPS THOMPSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

COVID-19 prevention update, proof of vaccination recommendation on Monday’s school board agenda

Feb 7, 2022 | 5:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Since returning to in-person learning one month ago, schools in Kamloops have at times toed the threshold for absenteeism, but multi-day closures haven’t been required. On January 21, the Kamloops-Thompson District hit 23 per cent student absenteeism. On the same day, 239 teachers were also away.

“Since that time last week we actually improved quite significantly,” says SD73 Superintendent Rhonda Nixon. “I would say this week we haven’t had any need for a closure but it’s only Monday. Last week we didn’t either. I just think we have to look at that as hope. I’m not saying this is a trend because it’s hard to say it’s a trend based on one week, but we do feel more hopeful.”

Of the 16 school days in January, student absence rates were higher than the seasonal average of 14 per cent on all but two days. But Nixon says single-day functional closures have only been enacted three times.

“Our second week we saw quite a big uptick, and it was much like that in the community as you know. And then the third week it kind of stabilized and then reduced a little bit.”

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This week, the superintendent will provide the school board with an update on how COVID-19 mitigation has been going and what the virus impact has been on students and staffing levels.

“We’ve invited Interior Health inspectors into our schools to see if we have the protocols right, and ‘Is there something more we could be doing?’” explains Nixon. “We’ve been really pleased with their support, and when we’re in contact with them they review with us any questions we have and we haven’t had to jump to another scenario or invite them in to other schools — it just hasn’t been necessary.”

Also on the agenda of Monday’s board meeting — the Vaccination Policy Committee’s recommendations, and how the district will handle staff vaccination procedures.

The committee has recommended that the board proceed with a Proof of Vaccination policy for district employees and individual contractors. Should the recommendation be adopted, the procedure would take effect May 9 until June 30, 2022, with the option to review, or extend the policy.

Nixon could not comment on which direction the board will go, but says there’s been plenty of hours put into gathering information leading up to tonight’s meeting.

“The consultation has been extensive and it’s been four months of consultation,” notes Nixon, “And with all of our employee groups, our Indigenous rights holders, our parent groups, multiple community partners, surveys. I do believe we’re giving the board ample information from which to make a decision, and it will be theirs to make [Monday] evening.”

CFJC Today will have more information on School District 73’s staff vaccination policy after the board makes its decision to adopt the measure or not.