December 24, 2020 3:40 a.m. 

Governor Kate Brown has directed state agencies to put more Oregon Schools, especially elementary students, on track to return to in-person instruction by February of next year.

A release said Brown asked the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education to implement several policy initiatives so that this will take place.

Brown said state and federal resources put this goal within reach for school districts, if communities continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Brown said an additional $50 million was approved in Monday’s special session of the Oregon State Legislature to support schools in the transition to in-person instruction. The release said lawmakers also passed legislation during the session to provide “reasonable liability protections” for public and private schools during the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency.

In her letter to ODE and OHA, Brown said the agencies should continue to partner with school districts, educators, and communities in decision-making processes grounded in science and public health and safety, with the goal of preparing more schools to return to in-person instruction by February 15th.

With educators and school staff to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations, the Governor also directed the agencies to work with schools to provide on-site rapid testing as a safeguard to quickly address symptomatic individuals and those with potential exposure to COVID-19.

In addition, Oregon school metrics, the measures of local community spread of COVID-19 that guide when it is appropriate to open schools to in-person instruction, will be advisory rather than mandatory, effective January 1st. Brown said moving forward, decisions to resume in-person instruction must be made locally, district by district and school by school. Brown said in addition to schools continuing to adhere to required health and safety protocols and working in close consultation with their local public health authority in understanding and considering the metrics, teachers, school staff, parents and students should be engaged in decision-making processes to allow schools to make the best choice for their community and their students.

Brown said agencies must review the guidance to ensure that all necessary health and safety procedures and protocols are included to allow the maximum access to in-person instruction in keeping with health and safety standards, including any updates to Oregon’s school metrics, based on scientific data and evidence. The review will be completed by January 19th.