The vote was not unanimous, as Weyburn trustee Rocky Sidloski voted against the measure.
Under the new procedure, Holy Family is sending out a survey on Monday to all employees to ask if they have been vaccinated. One week after that, senior management of the school division will sit down and go through the results, to know how many rapid tests they will provide.
As of Nov. 1, the rapid tests will be given to any unvaccinated employees, and will be provided free up until the Christmas break. Starting in January, any unvaccinated employees will then need to pay for their own tests, and the tests will be required until the pandemic is deemed to be over.
Education director Gwen Keith said they have been working closely with the legal department at the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) to develop this procedure, and indicated one of the issues is that of protecting an employee’s privacy.
One trustee asked if it was true that teachers in Southeast Cornerstone could lose their jobs over this issue, and Keith responded that she didn’t know that answer, but noted Holy Family is not putting that into their policy.
“We as a board should the first to take the survey,” said Estevan trustee Karen Melle.
Board chair Bruno Tuchscherer noted some boards are adding this to their policy, as many school boards around the province are adopting this measure. Southeast Cornerstone adopted the procedure at their meeting earlier on Wednesday.
Trustee Kate Mclean of Wilcox commented that Holy Family is not making anyone lose their jobs over this issue, and pointed out many organizations are requiring proof of vaccinations, such as in sports.
“It doesn’t seem to me to be much of a choice,” commented trustee Rocky Sidloski, adding that in his view this should be sent back to the government to put into law if they want.
One trustee likened an unvaccinated employee as the same as going into a school or a public event with a gun, because they are a threat to those in schools who cannot be vaccinated, namely all children under the age of 12.
Weyburn trustee Jerome Sidloski noted that Holy Family is giving employees a time-line in which they can get vaccinated.
Trustee Mclean commented, “As far as our protection is concerned, we’re mitigating the risk,” adding later, “Those of us who can, should do it to protect those who can’t. It’s not villainizing the unvaccinated.”
The policy originally said the tests would be required until Holy Family has determined that the pandemic (or the need for protection) is over, but a trustee pointed out this should not be when Holy Family determines it, but the medical health officer or the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Keith agreed to make this change in the wording.
