Board amends attendance policy language, removes COVID-19 reference and adopts ‘communicable disease’ phrasing

The Prosser School District Board of Directors voted to remove a specific reference to COVID‑19 from policy 3122 (excused and unexcused absences) and replace it with more general language referencing a communicable disease or disease outbreak.

The change came during the policy’s second reading, when a board member asked to remove the explicit COVID‑19 example from the policy language. After discussion about whether the district continues to experience staffing and closure effects from communicable illnesses, a board member moved to strike “COVID‑19” from the policy and replace it with a phrase such as “communicable disease outbreak.” The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board chair announced, “Aye. Motion carries.”

During discussion, district staff and board members noted recent staffing impacts from disease — including an example where a vendor had to close a service shop because multiple employees tested positive — and said the broader wording would cover influenza, whooping cough and other outbreaks that could prompt public-health recommendations or closures.

Board members asked a procedural question about whether the change would require a further reading; the district’s attorney and staff indicated the revision could be handled in the current process and no additional reading was required.

Ending — The revised policy language will return to the board in its updated form; the transcript does not list the precise final wording of the amended paragraph, only that references to COVID‑19 were removed and replaced with generic communicable-disease language.