SD73 teachers asked for vaccination status, but still no word on potential mandate for district staff

Photo: Castanet Staff

School District 73 teachers and staff are being asked to disclose their vaccination status to district officials, but there is still no word on whether a mandate will be put in place.

This week, the district sent a survey to all staffers asking them to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. The district said until 4 p.m. next Thursday, all SD73 employees will be able to submit their proof of vaccination or provide their vaccination status in a private and confidential manner.

Last week, SD73 said it received a letter from Interior Health directing them to comply with the provincial health mandate requiring all school board employees to submit proof of vaccination to Interior Health.

SD73 said it will be providing IH the vaccination status information of district staff members on an aggregate, non-individually identifying basis. All statuses will be reported to an Interior Health medical health officer by no later than Feb. 4, according to the school district.

Those who do not disclose their status by the deadline will be contacted by Interior Health, SD73 said.

SD73 is still considering whether to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate — a process that has been ongoing since October.