Q. Where can I obtain information about what schools should do in the event of a pandemic?
A. Contact the local county health department for the county in which the school is located for information and guidance related to a pandemic.
Q. If a school is closed due to a pandemic, will the local educational agency (LEA) still receive average daily attendance (a.d.a.) for the closed school?
A. Yes, pursuant to Education Code (EC) sections 46390 and 46392, the LEA will receive the a.d.a. for the closed school. For additional information on this question, please contact the School Fiscal Services Division at 916-322-3024.
Q. What should schools do now to prepare for a possible pandemic?
A. Schools are encouraged to review and update their comprehensive school safety plan. Pursuant to EC sections 32282 and 32286, every school in California should have a comprehensive school safety plan that is reviewed and updated annually. The comprehensive school safety plan should provide guidance for school administration, staff, and students for any emergency that impacts the school, including a public health crisis such as a pandemic.
Q. May contracting child development agencies receive credit for service provided during emergency conditions?
A. Yes, EC Section 8271applies to this situation. Child Development Division Management Advisory 94-02, entitled "Reduced Days of Operation or Attendance due to Emergency Conditions," explains the CDE's current policy related to EC Section 8271. The advisory lists eight examples of circumstances beyond the control of operating agencies, including epidemics. Whenever a contracting agency’s days of operation or attendance is reduced for any of the reasons cited, that fact must be communicated to the Child Development Division in the form of a resolution adopted by the agency's governing board (or other entity for agencies not having a governing board). The resolution and transmittal must include specific information described in Advisory 94-02.
Q. May qualified school districts request nutrition reimbursement during emergency conditions?
A. Yes, EC Section 49505 applies to this situation. School districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program may obtain reimbursement during a state or federally proclaimed disaster. Participating schools may serve meals at no charge to a student who has been rendered homeless because of a state or federally declared disaster, and school meals do not have to meet federal meal pattern requirements during disaster period. Disaster relief organizations may designate schools as community feeding sites. Schools that are closed due to a disaster may apply for reimbursement to offset fixed expenses.
Applications for Meal Reimbursement During Disaster should be submitted immediately following the qualifying disaster to the CDE, Fiscal and Administrative Services Division, Child Nutrition Fiscal Services. Separate claims must be filed for each emergency event. Applications are reviewed after the end of the fiscal year, with a final filing date of August 20. Payment is contingent upon available funding.
For further details on nutrition reimbursement, please contact Phyllis Savage, Staff Services Manager III, Fiscal and Administrative Services Division, at 916-322-8326 or by e-mail at psavage@cde.ca.gov.
