Thank you to all of our San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools’ team members for your ongoing commitment to our students, families and client school districts. We understand the COVID-19 health emergency continues to create uncertainly for staff, students and families.

On March 15, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued new recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19, outlining sweeping changes to our work and personal lives. The governor provided "GUIDANCE" to individuals 65 and older — and those in high-risk categories — to shelter in place at home. He also called for certain public establishments to temporarily shut down. In addition, President Donald Trump instructed Americans to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 15 days. This is a fluid situation and SBCSS is working to provide our staff with the most current and clear guidance in order to keep our employees and those we serve healthy and safe.

In addition to the items noted above, the Governor’s executive order calls upon school districts and county offices of education to:

• Continue delivering high-quality education opportunities to students to the extent feasible through options such as distance learning and independent study;
• Provide school meals;
• Arrange for, to the extent practicable, supervision for students during ordinary school hours; and
• Continue to pay its employees.

With respect to these four items, SBCSS has spent the last two days distinguishing between "essential" and "nonessential" personnel. Please understand that all of our employees are critical to our continued SBCSS operation and our school districts services in San Bernardino County. The terms essential and non-essential simply defines two categories of employees. Essential employees will continue to report to work in order to ensure SBCSS is fulfilling the Governor’s order.

• Essential Employees: If you have been identified as an "essential employee," you will be contacted by your supervisor and asked to report to work per your supervisor's direction.
• Non-Essential Employees: If you have been identified as a "non-essential employee," you will be informed by your supervisor. You will be released and NOT report to work until further notice.

Effective March 17, 2020 and until further notice, the following non-essential employee protocols will be in place:

1. Employees must be available to perform and/or return to work on an as-needed basis or if you are directed to do so by your supervisor to perform necessary work;
2. Employees are asked to check email daily (if available); follow SBCSS staff updates on eNet, or to contact their supervisor by phone for updates;

Employees on Leave: All employees (essential and non-essential) currently on paid or unpaid leave, may continue those leaves during the school closure dates. Employees can contact Human Resources with questions concerning Leave.

Government Code 3100: As a reminder, public school employees can be required to perform regularly assigned work during an emergency as disaster service workers under Government Code 3100:

It is hereby declared that the protection of the health and safety and preservation of the lives and property of the people of the state from the effects of natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies which result in conditions of disaster or in extreme peril to life, property, and resources is of paramount state importance requiring the responsible efforts of public and private agencies and individual citizens. In furtherance of the exercise of the police power of the state in protection of its citizens and resources, all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Employees 65 and older: SBCSS employees who are 65 or older or who have underlying medical issues defined by CDC (see below) are strongly encouraged to exercise good judgement and follow the guidance issued by the Governor. If you are an employee in this group, please contact your supervisor if you need to take leave.

Appendix A: Underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community-mitigation-strategy.pdf

More detailed guidance for California’s schools is expected to be released on Tuesday, March 17. We will continue to keep staff members informed of any future updates and any changes to work status.All Governance Meetings at the West End SELPA have been cancelled until further notice