FILE:  EBBD

Cf:  EBBC

EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board shall grant the authority to the Superintendent to determine and announce the closing of schools whenever prevailing or potential hazards or the spread of infectious disease threatens the safety and well-being of students, staff, or school property.  The decision to close schools shall be made by the Superintendent or his/her designee after conferring, when administratively feasible, with members of the School Board, 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.  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 shall immediately coordinate the dismissal of students residing in the affected zones.

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 East Baton Rouge Parish 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.

The Superintendent shall be authorized to determine which essential employees may be needed to work during any emergency.

Revised:  May 21, 2020

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 5-21-20

East Baton Rouge Parish School Board