Action Alert: Oppose SB 5094 (Dunnavant)
SB 5094 (Dunnavant)
would require school boards to provide 14 days of paid leave, in addition to
any other paid leave that is already provided, to any teacher who has been
exposed to COVID-19 and is required to self-quarantine, who contracts COVID-19,
or is required to care for a family member who contracts COVID-19.
VSBA opposes this
legislation because it would impose a significant unfunded mandate on local
school boards.
School Boards are
already required by the Regulations of the Board of Education to provide all
teachers a minimum of ten days of paid sick leave each year (8
VAC20-460-10). School boards are also required to allow teachers to
accumulate up to 90 days of unused paid sick leave (8 VAC
20-460-20).
In addition to the paid
sick leave school boards are already required to provide, the Federal Families
First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires school boards to provide an
additional two weeks of Emergency Paid Sick Leave.
Thus, while we are not
unsympathetic of the need to take leave to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we
believe that there are already ample leave requirements in place. Adding
this additional paid leave is an unnecessary unfunded mandate at a time when
local school boards are not able to absorb additional costs.
VSBA asks that you contact your Senator and urge them to Oppose Senate Bill
5094.
Click
here to find your Senator!
