Gov. Newsom Signs Executive Order to Support Safe, In-Person Learning at Schools Amid COVID Surge

SACRAMENTO – Amid the national surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, Gov. Gavin Newsom Jan. 11, signed an executive order to provide staffing flexibility for schools to support continued safe, in-person instruction for students.   

The Governor’s order supports schools to maintain safe and orderly operations by lowering state barriers that delay the hire of qualified short-term substitute teachers; permitting substitute teachers to have their assignments extended; and providing additional flexibility to support retired teachers who have returned to the classroom, as well as eliminating barriers that may prevent additional retired teachers from returning. The flexibilities provided under the order expire on March 31, 2022 and are only available to schools that make findings that the flexibilities will support in-person services for students despite staffing shortages caused by the surge in COVID cases. This order expands and improves previous orders (N-12-21 and N-25-20) that lowered barriers for retired teachers and classified staff to return to the classroom.  

The Governor’s long-term strategy to address staffing shortages includes $2.9 billion in the 2021-22 state budget to recruit more teachers and classified staff, provide additional compensation especially for those serving in high-need schools, ensure teachers are well-prepared through programs and provide professional development and training.  

The state will continue to offer its stockpile of adult N-95s and KN-95s, as well as young adult KN-95s, to county offices of education to distribute to schools. Each county office of education will also be able to order additional PPE items through the CalOES Salesforce system, with their requests rapidly fulfilled. 

Details: www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/school-staffing