Jan 22, 2021, 5:26 PM
(From NPR and NBOA) On his first full day in office, President Biden announced he would sign several executive actions to help schools reopen for classroom learning. That includes creating a clearinghouse of best practices for schools, tracking school opening data, ratcheting up virus testing and vaccinations and pushing for tens of billions in additional aid for schools.
In addition, Biden issued a presidential memorandum directing FEMA to increase federal reimbursement for eligible costs necessary to reopening schools such as personal protective equipment for staff such as masks, gown, gloves and testing materials. The plan will also provide a handbook to school leaders outlining the precautions and strategies the administration deems necessary for safe reopening. Still, it’s not clear what federal relief funds, which are distributed directly to states, may reach independent schools, according to preliminary analysis from NBOA’s Amber Stockham, director of human resources programs. The memorandum leaves allocation of funds to the states, but many of the organizations mentioned in the memorandum are private non-profit entities, so most states will likely write independent schools in, Stockham said.
Read the full memorandum here.
Read the Biden administration's National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness.
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Regulatory Update: FEMA Aid Available for School COVID Expenses (Aug 2020)
What Independent Schools Can Expect from Biden’s First 100 Days in Office: HR Considerations (Dec 2020)
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