Omaha Public Schools are requiring regular COVID-19 testing of all staff, a decision announced last week via email.
“I wanted to share with you that in addition to the health and safety protocols of face coverings and social distancing that we have implemented across the district, we will also be conducting regular COVID-19 testing of all staff,” the email from Charles Wakefield stated. “This testing is being required by the district, following consultation with our health care partners, to protect both students and staff during this pandemic.”
Wakefield, who is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the district, said test results would be seen only by “yourself and selected staff in Human Resources.” The results will be treated as confidential medical records and kept in a “secure file” within Human Resources.
One employee in the District said they asked prior to the school year if a vaccine or testing would be required. They told The Iowa Standard the answer was no.
The Iowa Standard reached out to the Omaha Public Schools but has not heard from the district.
