Dear CSD Families and Staff,

As has been our practice throughout the pandemic, I want to keep you informed about important COVID-19 guidance updates the district receives from Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Lane County Public Health.

Late Friday afternoon, OHA announced the adoption of permanent rules requiring face coverings in K-12 settings (OAR 333-019-1015) and requiring school and school-based program staff, volunteers, etc. to provide proof of vaccination or medical or religious exception (OAR 333-019-1030). These permanent rules are replacing the temporary rules that expired Friday. Temporary rules expire; permanent rules are repealed. OHA indicated they will continue to review the need for this rule and will rescind or repeal the rule as soon as it is safe to do so.

It’s important to note that the responsibilities for schools described in the rules have not changed. We have been following these mandatory rules since they were first enacted and they work in tandem with our other layered mitigation measures to protect in-person instruction and keep our students and talented staff in schools.

At CSD, we will continue to follow all state and federal laws, regulations, policies and rules. These rules are not optional and the repercussions of non-compliance are significant. Failure to adhere to the rules and mandates has, in other districts, resulted in fines being assessed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and OHA, federal funding being withheld by ODE, and administrators’ and teachers’ licensure being subject to revocation by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).

When OHA elects to change these rules, I will provide you with updates right away. In the meantime, thank you for helping us to continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the required masking rules and remaining up-to-date on your vaccinations and boosters. These are two key strategies to help protect the health of our community and one another.

Sincerely,

Mike Johnson
Superintendent