COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Trustees

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Trustees - SUSPENDED March 22, 2022

The purpose of this policy is to support safe learning and working environments by ensuring Trustees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or compliant with additional Division COVID-19 testing requirements.

This policy aims to establish and maintain an appropriate balance between individual and collective rights, freedoms and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees (the Board).

This policy aligns with the Board’s responsibility for providing a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning and working environment. This policy supports and enhances the Board’s ongoing direction and commitment to ensuring all schools and workplaces remain as safe as possible in the context of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (including any variant).

COVID-19 vaccine is a vaccine authorized by Health Canada (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech/comirnaty; Moderna/Spikevax; Janssen (Johnson & Johnson); AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD/Vaxzevria).

Fully vaccinated, as defined by Alberta Health Services and as may be amended from time to time, means having obtained all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, including any required wait period to achieve full vaccine status (e.g., two (2) week period).

The Board has a commitment and statutory responsibility to take all reasonable steps to provide safe and healthy working and learning environments. The Board acknowledges that health authorities state vaccination is one of the most effective ways of reducing COVID-19 transmission and protecting against severe outcomes relating to COVID-19.

Trustees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or comply with additional Division COVID-19 testing requirements as defined in the Trustees’ Handbook.

Trustees unable to be fully vaccinated for protected grounds as defined by the Alberta Human Rights Act, RSA 2000, c.A-25.5, as amended from time to time, are exempt from the requirement to be fully vaccinated and will be accommodated to the point of undue hardship.

Specific responsibilities and procedures for declaration of vaccine status, exemption requests, testing and documentation requirements and monitoring and oversight are defined in the Trustees’ Handbook.

The Board, in partnership with Administration, will be responsible for implementing this policy in alignment with any requirements under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Given the evolving nature of COVID-19, the Board will review this policy annually or as required for alignment with any changes to provincial regulations, legislation or applicable direction.