FILE: EBBD
EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS
The Monroe City School Board shall grant the authority to the Superintendent to determine and announce the closing of schools whenever a public emergency endangering the life, health or safety (e.g., prevailing or potential hazards or the spread of infectious disease threatens the safety and well-being of students, staff, or school property) has been declared by the Governor, state or local home land security authorities, state or local health authorities and other civil authorities vested with like or similar emergency powers regarding life, health and safety. In other instances, the decision to close schools shall be made by the School Board, except that the Superintendent or his/her designee may close schools in the absence of a public emergency declaration but when the protection of life, health or safety makes closure necessary or prudent, with the concurrence of the School Board President (or Vice President when unavailable) and after conferring with, appropriate professional staff, and other governmental agencies responsible for the safety and well-being of the community.
The Superintendent’s office shall notify news media and other such persons and organizations as necessary of the decision to dismiss students early, or the closure of any schools, School Board offices or facilities. Each School Board member shall also be notified of any school closing by email, telephone or other reasonable means prior to notifying the news media or making a public announcement. Public announcements and releases to news media shall be made or approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
If students have reported to school and an emergency arises during the school day, students may be dismissed early. Such dismissal shall be only by direction of the Superintendent. In the event of dismissal during the school day, all educational and building employees are to continue their work, unless otherwise notified by the Superintendent. In cases where students are dismissed early, teachers shall be expected to supervise all students under their jurisdiction until they have departed from the school campus.
When the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) or the Governor of Louisiana orders the evacuation of any area, or closures of schools or any other School Board facilities, the Superintendent or his/her designee may act immediately to close such schools as necessary to protect life, health and safety and shall immediately coordinate the dismissal of students residing in the affected zones and immediately notify all School Board members using reasonable means.
If an emergency situation arises, closure of schools shall be considered on an individual basis. Crisis Management Plans for each school or facility shall be followed.
During severe weather or other emergency situations, the Superintendent, after conferring with the School Board President, shall have the authority to excuse employees of the Monroe City School Board from reporting to work. Emergency Situation shall mean any circumstances that may expose School Board employees to harmful or unsafe conditions, as determined by the Superintendent.
In the absence of School Board policy that provides to the contrary, the Superintendent shall be authorized to determine which essential employees may be needed to work during any emergency.
Revised: July 28, 2020
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:239
Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education
Board minutes, 7-28-20
Monroe City School Board