August 20, 2021 10:40 a.m. 

Officials with the South Umpqua School District have responded to the vaccine mandate for K-12 staff, announced on Thursday by Governor Kate Brown.

Superintendent Kate McLaughlin said the “…district’s number one priority is welcoming our students back to the classroom, while also taking steps to help keep our students and staff healthy and safe”.

McLaughlin said as with state employees and healthcare workers, religious and medical/disability related exceptions will apply to the mandate. The release said the decision regarding the mandate was made due to the increase of positive cases connected to the delta variant.

McLaughlin said, “This district firmly believes if we work together, we can keep our staff and students safe and in the classroom. We thank our community for continued support and patience as our school community anticipates and prepares for the new school year”.