|
The
agenda for Thursday’s ISBE meeting initially showed an item for
a proposed rule for adoption requiring mandatory vaccinations of
school personnel.
At last month’s meeting, the board heard public comment. Teacher
Alison Brechtel said she was looking forward to the start of the
school year to be back in person.
“I am sad to say that this year has been more emotionally taxing
than ever,” Brechtel said. “I was told by two doctors that I
should not get the vaccine due to my autoimmune condition,
however both doctors are afraid to write a medical exemption for
fear that their license will be revoked.”
She said she is forced to do weekly testing, “which I have to do
on my own time during my only break in the school day.”
Teacher Jackie Ramsey also opposed the proposed mandate.
“According to the Illinois Public Health Act, only the
department of health and certified health departments can order
vaccine and testing,” Ramsey said. “The department of health
cannot give that power to ISBE, they cannot give that power to
schools, and they cannot give that power to school boards.”
She said ISBE deals with operations of schools, not public
health.
While there was some support for the mandate during public
comments last month, a spokesperson for ISBE said Wednesday that
the board will not take action on the rule during Thursday's
meeting. They did not elaborate when asked why.
The agenda item has since been removed from the ISBE agenda.
|
|
