Saco committee requires staff to report vaccination status or submit to weekly testing

The Saco School Committee voted unanimously to require staff to report COVID-19 vaccination status and to implement a pool-testing program for employees who do not report or who are unvaccinated.

Superintendent Ray told the board that federal and OSHA guidance is evolving and that, because municipal and school workforces fall under state OSHA plans, districts may be required to either verify vaccination or provide testing. "Our nurses cannot continue to operate day to day knowing who may test positive and have to go home," Ray said, adding that requiring pool testing now will help the district meet federal requirements and reduce major quarantines.

Board members supported the approach as a pragmatic step to keep classes in session. School board member Grama said establishing expectations for staff now would avoid confusion later. Chair LaFortune moved to approve the superintendent’s recommendation and Preble seconded; the motion passed on a 4–0 roll-call vote.

Ray noted some uncertainty about whether pool testing will meet all future negative-test requirements and said the plan could be revisited once federal rules are finalized. The superintendent also said the district faces supply constraints for rapid tests and that pool testing could help preserve limited BinaxNOW kits.

The board’s action directs the administration to implement the testing/reporting process and to return with modifications if state or federal guidance changes.