Special Policy Update

This Special Policy Update (SPU) focuses on time-sensitive policy implications pertaining to the ongoing guidance from state and federal agencies regarding COVID-19, recent guidance from the United States Department of Education pertaining to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and updates resulting from state legislative changes. 

We understand that time is of the essence as we embark on a school year unlike any other. As such, this SPU is structured as a priority checklist for boards to follow as they prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. There are three categories of updates included: 

• Priority One: Updates pertaining to reopening in light of the current pandemic; 
• Priority Two: Updates associated with Title IX rule changes; and 

• Priority Three: Updates resulting from state legislative changes. 

As the environment is continually changing, CASB anticipates the need to update additional policies and/or develop new board resolutions to address any changes and/or new information. CASB staff is currently evaluating the mandatory mask update shared by Governor Polis on Thursday, July 16, to determine what additional resources may be needed by CASB members. In addition, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will release new public health guidance and resources some time in the next week, which CASB will review and determine if any additional resources may be needed. 

To register for the Special Policy Update webinar on Monday, July 27, at 3:00 p.m. where CASB legal staff will review these policies and answer questions, please visit the CASB website.

To access the sample policies distributed with this Special Policy Update, click here. 

Priority One: Reopening Policies
Deadline: First Day of School Fall 2020

Background Information: For the 2020-2021 school year, the Colorado Department of Education has provided flexibility for districts in the area of instruction and attendance. To access this flexibility, local boards must utilize a governance document (e.g., board policy or resolution), if the board wishes to use a form of remote learning for the 2020-21 academic year. As members have expressed interest in both adopting a resolution and updating existing board policy, CASB has provided samples for both options to address student instruction and attendance issues. Local boards do not need to adopt multiple governance documents and should be cognizant of the way in which they authorize changes for the 2020-2021 school year, as the changes outlined by the Colorado Department of Education are only applicable for the upcoming school year.

In order to authorize flexibility in instruction and attendance for remote learning, local boards may either: 

• Amend board policy IC/ICA, School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time; or 

• Adopt the Resolution to Define “Actively Engaged in the Educational Process” and Student Attendance for the 2020-2021 School Year

As these updates intersect with other board policies, CASB also reviewed seven additional policies and a regulation to ensure alignment and consistency. While boards do not need to update these policies to align with the new guidance from CDE or to access the remote learning option, CASB wanted to provide boards with the currently updated policies that have undergone a review and technical clean up, in light of the current pandemic. Additionally, CASB created a new policy addressing workplace health and safety in light of COVID-19 and related legislation, HB20-1415.

• EBBA, Prevention of Disease/Infection Transmission
• EBBA-R, Prevention of Disease/Infection Transmission
• EBCE, School Closings and Cancellations 
• NEW! GBAB, Workplace Health and Safety Protection 
• GBGA, Staff Health 
• JH, Student Absences and Excuses 
• JLCC, Communicable/Infectious Diseases 

• KI, Visitors to Schools