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Public Safety Power Shutdown FAQ: October 24, 2019

 

Disclaimer: this was written in response to the most recent power outage in our schools.  Ideas are developing quickly and this might not be the latest information.

 

This website from the California Department of Education has a wealth of information in regards to school closures and PG&E Power Shutdowns.

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ep/schoolclosurecons.asp

 

As we look for long term solutions, can we open schools even if they don’t have power?

 

The State of California asks us to make our decisions for school closures based on overall safety.  Yes, we have thought about having schools open during power outages but there are several limitations to this decision including no fire alarms, no working phones, food spoilage and the safety of getting students to and from school if traffic lights are out (congestion creates unnecessary safety risks for students plus it will be getting darker and darker in the morning).

Sonoma County Office of Education is advising that when we know power will be out before school starts, that we close schools.

This initial response might change as these shutdowns become our new reality.

 

Is there a plan to bring generators to sites without power?

 

At the state and county levels, the concepts of generators and/or mini-grids are being considered.  RVUSD will also be looking into potential alternatives. This will take time, research and planning.

 

Could we look at an alternative school calendar and avoid having school in October?

 

Our district is currently tied into the Santa Rosa City Schools calendar due to the fact that we share so many families.  However, this would be an option that could be explored.

 

Will we be building in emergency days into our calendar?

 

The district and both bargaining units will be considering the addition of emergency days into our school calendars for the future.  The majority of districts in Sonoma County have at least one emergency day built into their calendars.  The state strongly encourages us to add these days in to ensure as much instruction for students as possible.

 

Do we have to make up instructional days?

 

It depends.  Here are ways districts can make up lost instructional days:

1)  Attending school on bargained emergency days:  Some districts negotiated emergency days into their calendars for use in case there was a need to close school  After two consecutive years with school closures,  the State recommended that districts include extra days in their calendars as condition of the State's consideration on a J13 waiver

 

2)  Repurposing a planned non-student professional development day a student day.

 

3)  Making the minimum days for parent teacher conferences full days to recoup some of the lost instructional minutes.

 

5)  Apply for the J13 waiver which can possibly waive the need to make up the lost instructional days.