Resolution replaces expiring virus leave

FORT SMITH — As federal and state pandemic leaves are set to expire at the end of this month, the School Board voted to adopt a resolution providing up to 10 days of district covid leave during its regular meeting last week, a release said.

These additional leave days will be provided to employees who test positive for the virus or were quarantined as a close contact by the district, a medical professional, or the Arkansas Department of Health.

“We believe that it is important to encourage employees to quarantine when required without having to fear any insurmountable loss of district sick leave,” Superintendent Terry Morawski said in the release. “This provision approved by the board tonight [Dec. 14] is designed to close any gap that may be present until additional federal or state covid-19 leave is renewed, extended or replaced.”

Instead of a change in policy, the provision is a new procedure to be applied by the payroll office that becomes effective on Jan. 4. Eligible employees may use this covid leave, at the district’s expense, before regular sick leave if an employee is “unable to telework and has tested positive or is identified as a probable close contact as described.”

“This leave may be awarded retroactive to the date of onset of covid-19 symptoms or exposure if absences occur on or after January 4, 2021,” the release states. “This provision expires when the current government subsidized paid leave is renewed, extended or replaced, or as of May 31, 2021.”