WWPS will help staff get vaccinated
By Terry Murry on Friday, August 20th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools has unveiled a plan to support employees in meeting Gov. Inslee’s new state vaccination requirement that educators be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 18.
Immediately following Inslee’s Wednesday announcement, Superintendent Wade Smith reviewed the directive from the governor’s office and additional information released from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Smith consulted with Walla Walla Valley Education and Public School Employees Union leadership and coordinated with the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health to develop a plan to maximize vaccine availability opportunities for staff to meet the deadline.
“None of us want to see classrooms, sports teams or schools quarantine or revert back to distance learning,” Smith said. “We are excited to welcome all students back, full time this fall. This statewide vaccine requirement is one additional measure state officials feel will help keep our kids in the classroom, on the courts and on our stages.”
The statewide mandate identified that local school boards and district leadership do not have the ability to modify the executive order.
“We are legally required to follow the governor’s directive and our school board, and I are committed to doing what we can to support staff to meet the vaccination deadline or request a medical or religious exemption,” Smith said.
