WHEREAS, vaccines are proven to be the most effective strategy to

reduce and eliminate the spread of infectious diseases and are essential for eradicating COVID-19; and, 

WHEREAS, public schools have a profound impact on millions of students, families, and staff and are charged with the care, education, nourishment of their students and are an integral part of the health and safety of our communities; and,

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan published by the State of New Jersey Department of Health (December 15, 2020, pgs. 36-37) prioritizes the availability of vaccines to “essential workers” in Phase 1B of the vaccine protocol; and

WHEREAS, 28 states and the District of Columbia (Not including New Jersey) are allowing public school personnel to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine; and

WHEREAS, school district staff at all levels are essential to the day-to-day operations of this District, responsible for the thorough and efficient education of all students and their social and emotional wellbeing, are critical for virtual and in-class instruction, and are essential workers; and  

WHEREAS, access to the vaccine for public school personnel is conducive to having a safe return to a regular in-person form of education;

WHEREAS, the Leonia Board of Education and Leonia Education Association stand in solidarity in the following request,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Leonia Board of Education requests that Governor Phil Murphy act immediately to make eligible all public school personnel for the COVID-19 vaccine and by immediately authorizing, at a high priority, and authorize mobile vaccination units to provide vaccinations on school grounds; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be certified and submitted to Governor Phil Murphy; New Jersey Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan; Senator Weinberg; Assemblyman Johnson; and Assemblywoman Huttle; as well as to the Boards of Education of each District in the county as soon as possible following approval by the Leonia Board of Education.