by Hana Yeung
(Toronto)– The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has given a temporary extension for about 290 out of 620 unvaccinated staff members, until the school board can find temporary staff to fill these positions on a case-by-case basis.
Most of those 290 unvaccinated staff are special needs assistants, designated early childhood educators and lunchroom supervisors.
photo by Larissa Kurz
In a memo sent to families, the TDSB said those unvaccinated staff are supervising students, including those with additional needs, and provide safety or health related support. It notes that all staff members, including those with temporary exemptions, continue to meet all Ministry of Education requirements, including regular rapid antigen testing three times per week for the unvaccinated.
On the other hand, approximately 330 staff members are being put on administrative leave without pay because they were not vaccinated.
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TDSB had given an extension last month to staff who had received their first shot by Nov.19. They were given an extra month to get their second dose. Staff whose exemption requests were denied will have 45 days to get vaccinated or be placed on leave.
According to the data from TDSB on October 22, 85 percent of all staff (or 33,917 people) had fully vaccinated, and five people in total had approved medical exemptions as of the date. TDSB has 39,845 staff, including teachers, administrators and support staff.
Some of the people think giving unvaccinated staff exemptions is wrong. Some in online comments have suggested TDSB should identify these staff members so parents can decide if they want their kids to be exposed to unvaccinated staff.
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