NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Public Schools will require all employees to be vaccinated or get tested weekly beginning January 3.
The school board voted unanimously in favor of the mandate on Wednesday, citing the continuing pandemic and a surge in infections.
The school division said current employees who will not get vaccinated have to submit for a weekly COVID-19 test in order to maintain their employment.
"Exceptions will be made for employees who are unable to undergo vaccination or testing for “legally held valid reasons based on disability or sincerely held religious beliefs," the division said.
The vote from the board allows for the superintendent to survey staff and determine who is vaccinated and who will need to be tested weekly.
“In Norfolk Public Schools we strongly believe in protecting the safety of our staff and students, the most effective and efficient way to provide protection against COVID-19 is through vaccinations," said School Board Chair Dr. Adale Martin.
Martin said board members put a lot of thought into this decision.
“With the infections increasing from Delta and other variants, it remains our duty to supervise this division and to provide for the safe, efficient and successful operation of our schools," Dr. Martin said.
The head of the Norfolk Federation of Teachers is applauding the move.
“They made a very bold decision last night that this is what we need to do to protect the staff and the tens of thousands of students that attend Norfolk Public Schools," said NFT President Thomas Calhoun.
Calhoun said many members support the mandate. He said he constantly gets questions about health and safety.
“They are not calling to say close the schools, they are calling to say am I protected," Calhoun said. "They are calling to say I am nervous, should I be on quarantine? These are the kind of calls we get.”
Norfolk Public School's superintendent will also have the authority to establish a process of warnings and discipline for any staff member who refuses to get vaccinated or tested.
Those plans will be discussed with the school board as they are developed, according to NPS.
13News Now reached out to other divisions across the 757.
Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Hampton school officials tell us their boards are not discussing vaccination mandates at this time.
Portsmouth officials say their board is talking about shots during a Thursday meeting, but won’t vote.