Epidemic Emergencies

Policy Date: 06/05/2025

CSD File: EBCF

CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PANDEMIC/EPIDEMIC EMERGENCIES

The Candia School Board recognizes that a pandemic/epidemic outbreak is a serious
threat that stands to affect students, staff, and the community as a whole. With this
consideration in mind, the Board establishes this policy in the event the
town/municipality and/or school district is affected by a pandemic/epidemic outbreak.
At all times the health, safety and welfare of the students shall be the first priority.

Planning and Coordination

The Superintendent shall designate one or more employees to serve as a liaison
between the school district and local and state health officials. This designee is
responsible for connecting with health officials to identify local hazards, determine what
crisis plans exist in the school district and community, and to establish procedures to
account for student well-being and safety during such a crisis. The designee shall work
with local health officials to coordinate their pandemic/epidemic plans with that of the
school district.

With fiscal concerns in mind, the district shall purchase and store supplies necessary for
a pandemic/epidemic outbreak, including but not limited to disinfectant products, face
masks, water, examination gloves, and other supplies as recommended by the school
nurse.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures and plans for the transportation of
students in the event of an evacuation. Such procedures shall include provisions for
students who cannot be transported to home at the time of the evacuation.

Response

In the event anyone within the school is discovered or suspected to have a
communicable disease that may result in a pandemic/epidemic, that person shall be
immediately quarantined pending further medical examination. Local and state health
officials shall be notified immediately.

In conjunction with local and state health officials, the Superintendent shall ascertain
whether an evacuation, lockdown, or shelter-in-place needs to be established. As soon
as such a decision has been made, the school district shall attempt to notify the parents
of all students.

In the event of an evacuation, the Superintendent is charged with determining when the
school shall re-open. In the event of a lockdown or shelter-in-place, the Superintendent
shall notify all proper authorities and relief agencies seeking their assistance for the
duration of the lockdown or shelter-in-place.

Infection Control

Any student or staff member found to be infected with a communicable disease that
bears risk of pandemic/epidemic will not be allowed to attend school until medical
clearance is provided by that individual’s primary care physician or other medical
personnel indicating that that person does not bear the risk of transmitting the
communicable disease.

Students with excessive absences due to communicable disease shall be granted an
exception from other Board policies relative to excessive student absences. Efforts will
be made by the staff to determine what, if any, schoolwork the student can complete
while absent.

Staff members who are forced to miss excessive days of work shall first use any leave
entitled to them through the Family and Medical Leave Act and/or accrued sick leave. If
a staff member has still not received medical clearance to resume his/her work duties,
absences in excess of a staff member’s allotted leave will not affect the employee’s right
to continued employment.

Continuance of Education

The Superintendent shall develop a plan of alternate means of educating students in the
event of prolonged school closings and/or extended absences. Such a plan may include
providing students with assignments via online learning management systems.

The Superintendent is authorized to amend the traditional class schedule and schedule
of days. Such a plan may include extending the school day, having school days held on
Saturdays, the use of previously scheduled vacation days, and/or extend the school year
beyond the previously established end of school year.

Adopted: March 8, 2007
Revised: June 5, 2025