(Updated 11/18/2020.)
As school business officials (SBOs) are monitoring the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its impact in their state and district, ASBO International is here to support our members with tools, information, and resources to stay informed and appropriately respond to COVID-19 to protect their students, staff, and communities.
What do you need to know about COVID-19? (Updated 11/18/20)
- COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Risk of infection is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, or those who live in or who have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Estimated incubation period is 2 to 14 days.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the disease to be a pandemic. As of November 18, there have been 55,917,685 cases globally (across 191 countries/regions). The U.S. is ranked #1 for having the most confirmed cases, with 11,400,796 cases (249,187 deaths) across all states and territories. For a closer look at the U.S., view this map. For a short timeline on how the virus has spread globally, read this blog.
- Currently there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Health experts estimate the soonest a vaccine will be publicly available is by mid-late 2021. See this vaccine tracker for the latest updates.
- 11/18/20: In November, two U.S. pharmaceutical companies reported promising results from late-stage vaccine trials, Pfizer and Moderna, which noted their vaccines are nearly 95% effective. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must clear the vaccines for emergency use, expected by the end of November. Pfizer and Moderna anticipate having 22 million vaccines ready by the end of 2020, however there are 330 million people living in the U.S., so vaccine distribution and logistics remain a challenge and will take time. It is likely that high-risk groups will be prioritized, including health-care workers, essential workers, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions. General consensus in the public health community estimates that every American who wants the vaccine could get it by mid-2021.
- There are basic steps people can take to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or us an alcohol-based sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue into the trash.
- Clean/disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
(Sources: WHO COVID-19 website, CDC factsheet, Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Map, and CDC website on COVID-19 in the U.S.)
For tools and resources to help you communicate COVID-19-related issues to your community, please refer to NSPRA's guide, "The Coronavirus Communications Crisis for Public Schools." (Added 3/17/20)
For international/global guidance and information for schools in light of COVID-19, please read:
For public health recommendations regarding phased reopening across the U.S., including reopening schools, please read these resources:
What federal guidance is available for schools regarding COVID-19? (Updated 11/18/20)
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is compiling cross-agency resources and information for elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions and personnel at: https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus. Please send questions to ED via email at: COVID-19@ed.gov.
- Key guidance SBOs will want to review with other school leaders and staff include:
-
- HHS Guidance
- CDC guidance
- Medicaid/CHIP:
- NIH/NIEHS:
- Office of Head Start
- ED guidance
- USDA guidance
- Dept. of Treasury guidance
- DOL guidance:
- DHS guidance
- FBI guidance:
- FCC guidance:
- EPA guidance:
- FTC guidance:
- DOJ guidance:
What is Congress doing in response to COVID-19? (Updated 11/18/20)
In early March, Congress passed an $8.3 billion emergency bill to support research into a COVID-19 vaccine, treatments, stockpiling medical supplies, and providing low-interest loans for small businesses impacted by the virus. H.R. 6074, the "Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act" reflects "phase-one" of the federal government's response (a summary of the bill is available here).
After the President declared COVID-19 a national emergency, Congress swiftly prepared a "phase two" emergency response bill to COVID-19, which passed on March 18. H.R. 6201, the "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" is a $100 billion spending package that includes emergency funding for paid sick leave, widespread free COVID-19 testing, provisions to provide flexibilities and meal assistance for schools during school closures, and temporary increases in federal Medicaid funding to states.
Congress passed a "phase three" bill on March 27 to provide additional support for economic recovery from COVID-19. The package includes nearly $31 billion in emergency education funding. The full text and summaries of H.R. 748, the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act" are below.
Lawmakers successfully passed a "phase 3.5 / 4" COVID-19 package on April 24, H.R. 266, the "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (The PPP & HCE Act), which provides $484 billion in additional funding for businesses, hospitals, and expanded COVID-19 testing. Meanwhile, ED has started releasing emergency funding to assist states and schools with COVID-19 response via the Education Stabilization Fund authorized by the recently-passed CARES Act. Funding is being disbursed via The Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund and the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief (ESSER) Fund.
Congress is slowly returning to "business as usual" on Capitol Hill, as officials work on the next "phase 4 / 5" COVID-19 package, referred to as "CARES 2." Unfortunately there has been major partisan gridlock about what the stimulus bill should include. House Democrats released a $3 trillion partisan proposal on May 12, the "Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act," which would provide assistance to state and local governments, hazard pay for health care workers, student debt forgiveness, more Medicare and Medicaid funding, and other provisions. (Read this ASBOUSA blog for more information). A revised version of the HEROES Act passed the House on May 15, but is considered dead on arrival in the Senate.
Discussions for another COVID-19 stimulus package are delaying lawmakers' work on federal appropriations for the 2021 federal fiscal year (FY21). Originally, officials planned to have spending bills marked up by the end of June, but now we may not see markups occur until mid/late July.
- June 10, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on "COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely." (View a recording here.)
- June 15, the House Education & Labor Committee held a hearing on "Budget Cuts and Lost Learning: Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Public Education." (View a recording here.)
- June 22, the House committee scheduled another hearing, "Inequities Exposed: How COVID-19 Widened Racial Inequities in Education, Health, and the Workforce." (View a recording here.)
- June 23, the House committee held a virtual briefing, "Reopening and Rebuilding America's Schools." (View a recording here.)
- June 30, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing, "COVID-19: Update on Progress Toward Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School." (View a recording here.)
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released a Democratic Senate proposal for a "phase 4 / 5" COVID stimulus package on June 30, "The Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act (CCCERA)." The bill would provide $430 billion to support education across-the-board, including child care, K-12 education, higher education, and workforce development. $345 billion of that amount would go to the CARES Act's Education Stabilization Fund, and K-12 education would receive $175 billion for state agencies and school districts. While Senate Republicans do not support this bill, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has indicated general support for more funding to help schools safely reopen in light of COVID-19. On July 27, Senate Republicans released bill text for their counter proposal to HEROES and CCERA, the Health, Economic, Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act. The $1 trillion package provides $70 billion to K-12 education with some conditioned funding for schools based on their reopening plans, $29 billion for higher education, $5 billion for governors to use to support education, and $1 billion for Bureau of Indian Education. The proposal provides COVID-19 liability protection for schools as they reopen, an opportunity for LEAs to pursue MOE waivers, and significant funding for private schools in response to the pandemic. Please read this ASBOUSA legislative blog for a full analysis of the proposal.
Congress must now negotiate a compromise that reconciles the many policy disagreements among the HEROES, CCCERA, and HEALS Acts for the next COVID relief package, however little progress was made before Congress left for its August recess. In an attempt to circumvent Congress and bypass gridlock on several issues, President Trump issued an executive order and three memos on evictions, unemployment benefits, payroll taxes, and other items..
Policy experts question the legality and effectiveness of the executive actions, especially since no additional funding has been provided to carry them out and Congress has constitutional authority over federal spending. Two items school business officials will want to watch out for are any changes to unemployment benefits and payroll taxes. The administration is seeking to use unspent FEMA funds for unemployment benefits, which would require states to create a separate unemployment benefit program that adheres to FEMA's payment structure, whereby states would have to address costs up front and seek a 75% reimbursement from the federal government. Secondly, the administration wants to enact a "payroll tax holiday" to defer federal tax withholding (for funding Social Security) from September 1 through December 31 for employees earning less than $100,000 a year (or less than $4,000 every two weeks) pretax. The Treasury Department and IRS are responsible for providing guidance, which was issued on August 31 (learn more here).
After the Labor Day recess, lawmakers have been focusing on passing a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown and pick up negotiations on another COVID package. On September 8, Senate Republicans released another relief package proposal, which is a more pared-down version of the HEALS Act, the "Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools, and Small Businesses Act." (Read the full text and a summary of the bill.) This new proposal includes much of the same provisions for education as the HEALS Act, with the exception of this proposal not including maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements for states, it provides funding for Education Freedom Scholarships via a new scholarship tax credit program, it expands allowable uses of 529 accounts for K-12 education and homeschooling expenses, and does not provide another round of stimulus relief checks among other provisions. (Find more information about the proposal here.) This bill, like other recent COVID proposals, did not pass due to significant partisan disagreement on what should be included in the next package. The proposal was voted by the Senate on September 10, but failed to meet the 60-vote threshold needed for the bill to advance, leaving an unclear path forward for future COVID relief negotiations.
On September 15, a bipartisan group of House officials proposed a COVID relief framework that seeks to compromise between the provisions laid out in the HEROES and HEALS Acts. The proposal would provide $100 billion for K-12 education, $500 billion in state and local relief, and additional funding toward child care, broadband connectivity, the Census, and other programs, employer liability protections, among other provisions. Unfortunately, this proposal is also not expected to gain traction after House leaders argued it "falls short" of what is needed. House Speaker Pelosi announced the House won't leave for its next scheduled recess (early October) unless lawmakers could agree on another COVID stimulus package. (Check out our alert for more info.)
On September 28, House Democrats shared their latest counteroffer for another COVID-relief package, an updated version of the HEROES Act (HEROES 2.0). The partisan proposal includes $225 billion for education ($208.1 billion in additional funding for the CARES Act Education Stabilization Fund). Of that amount, $175 billion would go to K-12 education and is not conditioned based on school opening models (like prior Republican proposals). An additional $5 billion would go toward K-12 facilities to help districts respond to the pandemic and make repairs or improvements that support student health needs (including improvements to allow for outdoor instruction). The bill also proposes $12 billion to help close the homework gap and fund Wi-fi hotspots and devices, as well as $3 billion for emergency home connectivity. (Read this alert for a more in-depth list of education provisions included in the bill.)
On October 19, Republicans continued forward with its $500 billion "skinny" relief proposal, the "Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools, and Small Businesses Act" to put it up for a vote on the Senate floor, after rejecting a $1.8 trillion compromise proposal that was under negotiation between the White House and House Speaker. However, Senate Democrats blocked a vote on the Republican proposal October 21. As discussions on another relief measure remain in gridlock, Congress continues to focus on Supreme Court nomination hearings for Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy created by Justice Ginsburg's recent passing.
As of November 18, Congress has yet to make any progress on negotiating another COVID-relief package, however there is still a possibility we may see a relief bill come through during the lame duck session now that Election Day has passed. Unfortunately, Congress has a tight timeline to pass a fifth COVID-relief package while trying to also address annual appropriations to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. Earlier this year, Congress passed H.R. 8319, "The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act," to fund programs and agencies on auto-pilot/flat-funding via a continuing resolution (CR) through December 11. That bill also included several helpful nutrition provisions favorable to schools, including extension of the Pandemic-EBT program and granting the USDA authority to extend program waivers under the National School Lunch Program through September 2021. (See this thread for more information). However, another funding package must be passed, be it an omnibus, series of minibuses, or another CR before December 11 to avoid a shutdown. House and Senate appropriators are working on spending bills currently, but it remains to be seen whether they can strike a spending deal before the deadline. (For more analysis on FY21 funding, COVID relief, and the elections, read our latest blog).
We encourage members to join ASBO International’s Legislative Affairs Community for further legislative updates as we learn more information and to be on the lookout for upcoming webinars to help you lead your community's response to COVID-19.
What is ASBO International doing in response to COVID-19? (Updated 10/29/20)
In addition to sharing information and resources to support our members during this difficult time, ASBO International is working with our Legislative Advisory Committee, education coalition partners, and federal officials to advocate for flexibilities and assistance for schools impacted by COVID-19. Here are just a few examples of how we have been advocating for ASBO members:
- Providing relevant news, information, and education for school business professionals via ASBO International webinars and other communications channels.
- Upcoming ASBO International COVID-19 Webinars: (View our webinar schedule at ASBOLearn.) (Updated 10/29/20)
- ASBO International 2020 Envision Virtual Conference, September 30 - October 2. (Session recordings available at ASBOLearn!) (Updated 10/22/20)
- Archived COVID-19 Webinars:
- ASBO - School's in Session: Safe Cleaning in a COVID-19 Climate, September 24, 12PM ET (Access the webinar recording) (Updated 10/16/20)
- ASBO Roundtable: Advocating for a Safe & Successful School Year, Wednesday, July 29, 12PM ET (Roundtables are not recorded. Access the slides here.) (Updated 8/17/20)
- ASBO - COVID Budget Cutting: How to Reduce Healthcare Costs by Up to 30%, July 21 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 8/3/20)
- ASBO, National PTA, IDSA, EdTrust, et al. Virtual Tele-Town Hall: How Do We Reopen Schools Safely? July 16 (Access the recording, presentation slides, and event summary.) (Added 7/22/20)
- ASBO/NSBA/AASA Reopening Series: Sports and Performance Programs: Support for the Social Emotional Wellness of Students, July 10 (Access the webinar recording.) (Added 7/22/20)
- ASBO - Resource Equity in the Time of COVID-19, July 9 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 7/22/20)
- ASBO/NSBA/AASA Reopening Series: The Transformative Role School Resource Personnel Have in Reopening Public Schools, July 8 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 7/22/20)
- ASBO - Impacts of COVID-19 on Your Benefits Program, July 7 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 7/22/20)
- ASBO/NSBA/AASA Reopening Series: The New Role of Transportation in the New Normal Routine for Schools, June 30 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 7/7/20)
- ASBO/NSBA/AASA Reopening Series: Supply vs. Demand - What School Districts Need to Consider as Schools Reopen, June 26. (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 6/30/20)
- ASBO/NSBA/AASA Reopening Series: Funding Shortfalls or Needs vs. Wants - What's the Plan, What Are Our Priorities? June 24 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 7/7/20)
- ASBO - From a Distance: Leading a Remote Workforce and Managing Unseen Risk, June 23 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 6/26/20)
- ASBO Roundtable - Reopening Facilities Safely, May 27 (Members can access discussion slides from our blog summary.) (Updated 6/17/20)
- ASBO - COVID-19 Costs and Maximizing FEMA Public Assistance Funding, May 19 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 5/27/20)
- ASBO - What Will The Financial Turmoil Mean for Education? May 12 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 5/15/20)
- ASBO - Understanding Federal PreK–12 Grants and Waivers in a COVID-19 Climate, April 28 (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 5/4/20)
- ASBO/American Fidelity - COVID-19 & Your Employees: Impacts on Leave and Benefits, April 16. (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 4/27/20)
- AASA/ASBO/USDA - USDA COVID-19 School Waivers, April 16. (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 5/4/20)
- ASBO/FRAC/AASA - Feeding Students During COVID-19, April 7. (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 4/28/20)
- ASBO - COVID-19 Federal Funding Forecast, March 26. (Access the webinar recording and slides.) (Updated 4/28/20)
- ASBO - SBO Live Panel Discussion on COVID-19, March 17. (Access the webinar recording.) (Updated 4/28/20)
- ASBO International communications: Accents, School Business Daily, the Global School Business Network, and other channels.
- The Global School Business Network is an invaluable resource for school business professionals who seek peer support and want to ask questions and advice regarding school response to COVID-19 in their communities. Log into the Network now.
- Join/Renew to ensure you are receiving all ASBO International communications and membership benefits, including access to the Network.
- Working with ASBO International’s Legislative Advisory Committee to share information about school districts' responses to COVID-19 with members and the public, and advocating for federal support and guidance for schools throughout the crisis.
- Asking ED for guidance to states, districts, and schools about how to respond to COVID-19 to support students, staff, and communities during school closures.
- Advocating for E-Rate flexibilities and extra funding to ensure that students affected by school closures have adequate Internet access while learning from home, i.e. addressing digital equity concerns such as the "homework gap."
- Advocating for nationwide USDA waivers/flexibilities and extra funding to help school districts serve students healthy and nutritious meals during school closures.
- Advocating for targeted, narrow IDEA flexibilities to help districts provide for all students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Maintaining ongoing conversations with federal agencies and officials, including ED and White House staff to discuss additional federal supports needed for states and schools.
- ASBO members can share feedback about the impact of COVID-19 on their schools to inform our advocacy efforts. (Contact us about how we can advocate for your schools.)
- Use ASBO International's Legislative Resources to help you advocate for your district. (Updated 7/17/20)
- There, you'll find ASBO 's 2020-2021 Legislative Beliefs, COVID-19 policy recommendations to support school recovery efforts, and our COVID-19 cost-analysis for reopening schools.
- Access ASBO/AASA's 2020 Virtual Legislative Advocacy Conference resources, including talking points, session recordings, and presentation materials to learn about policy issues impacting your district.
Additional COVID-19 news and resources are available below: (Updated 10/23/20)
*ASBO International Website: Going Green Resources (Added 3/25/20)
A+ Colorado: COVID-19 Learning Loss: Recommendations to Improve Student Outcomes During the Pandemic (Added 10/22/20)
AASA, The School Superintendents Association COVID-19 Resources (Updated 4/8/20)
AASA, The School Superintendents Association Advocacy Round Up: All Things COVID Blog Series (Added 4/22/20)
AASA Blog: ED Issues Guidance That Will Redirect Districts CARES Funding to Private Schools and Students (Added 5/5/20)
AASA Blog: HHS Mask Distribution to Schools Underway: Request Your Districts Now (Added 10/16/20)
ACG Advocacy: The CARES Act Relief Funds Toolkit (Added 4/24/20)
AIHA Reopening Guidance for Schools (K-12) (Added 8/17/20)
Albert Shanker Institute Report: The Coronavirus Pandemic and K-12 Education Funding (Added 4/24/20)
Amazing Educational Resources: Spreadsheet List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings (Updated 10/6/20)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) COVID-19 Considerations: Guidance for School Reentry (Updated 8/21/20)
American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Report: A Blueprint for Back to School (Added 5/4/20)
American Fidelity Administrative Services: COVID-19 Resources & FAQs (Updated 5/13/20)
American Fidelity Administrative Services: FFCRA Employer Calculations Workbook (Added 4/17/20)
American Fidelity Administrative Services: Summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and PDF (Added 4/9/20)
American Federation of School Administrators: Reopening Schools Safely in the Age of COVID, A Preliminary Guide for School Leaders (Added 8/17/20)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) COVID-19 Resources
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Parents' and Teachers' Views on Reopening Schools (Added 9/16/20)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Plan for Reopening Schools (Added 5/19/20)
American Lung Association Stay Safe & Informed About COVID-19 Resources (Added 4/3/20)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Considerations Regarding COVID-19 for Schools and Students with Disabilities (Added 4/9/20)
ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Recommendations for Schools & Universities, July 17 Update (Updated 8/4/20)
ASHRAE Frequently Asked Questions for COVID-19: Filtration, Disinfection, HVAC System Operations, etc. (Added 5/21/20)
Because Health: Water Quality During COVID-19 in Child Care Facilities and Schools Fact Sheet (Added 8/17/20)
Because Health: Safer Cleaning and Disinfectant Use During Coronavirus for Early Childcare Providers and Schools (Added 8/17/20)
Bellwether Education Partners: COVID-19 Strategic Planning Toolkit for Education & Nonprofit Leaders (Added 4/10/20)
Brooking Institute: Reopening Schools Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Your Questions, Our Answers (Added 6/5/20)
CBS News: CDC releases guidelines for reopening schools. What will the 'new normal' look like? (Added 5/15/20)
Center for Cities + Schools at University of California Berkeley COVID-19: Resources for Reopening Healthy School Facilities (Added 9/10/20)
Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE): Database on District Responses to COVID-19 School Closures (Added 4/21/20)
Chiefs for Change: The Return: How Should Education Leaders Prepare for Reentry and Beyond (Added 5/15/20)
CNN: Half A Million US Children Have Been Diagnosed with COVID-19 (Added 9/9/20)
Common Sense: Wide Open School Online Learning Resources (Added 4/3/20)
COVID-19 Recovery Consulting: COVID-19 Risk Index (Chart) (Added 8/4/20)
COVID-19 Recovery Consulting: K-12 School Relative Risk Index (Chart) (Added 8/4/20)
District Administration: 6 Indoor Air Quality Missteps School Districts Are Making (Added 8/17/20)
District Administration: 12 Uses for (CARES) ESSER Funds (Added 8/4/20)
District Administration: 339 Free K-12 Resources During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Updated 8/7/20)
District Administration: Education Funding Streams in CARES Act Provide Wealth of Spending Options (Added 4/1/20)
District Administration: Equitable Services Guidance on CARES Act Funds (Added 5/12/20)
District Administration: FFCRA Guidance for School Districts as Employers (Added 4/1/20)
District Administration: Here Are Key Questions to Answer to Safely Reopen Schools (Added 6/5/20)
Education Counsel: What School Districts Need: Principles and Priorities for State COVID-19 Guidance and Action (Added 6/17/20)
Education Week: Coronavirus and Schools: A State-by-State Guide, school closures, reopening dates, remote learning, and more (Added 4/16/20)
Education Week: How COVID-19 Will Ballon District Costs This Coming Schools Year (Added 5/26/20)
Education Week: How Will Coronavirus Affect School Spending? 9 Questions Answered (Added 4/15/20)
Education Week: Reopening Schools During COVID-19: Lessons from Around the World (Added 8/17/20)
Education Week: School Districts' Reopening Plans: A Snapshot (Added 7/17/20)
Education Week: Too Expensive to Re-Open Schools? Some Superintendents Say It Is (Added 5/26/20)
Education Week Map: Coronavirus and School Closures (Added 4/21/20)
Education Week Series on Coronavirus and Schools
Educating All Learners Alliance: Resource Library for Educating Students with Complex Learning Needs Remotely (Added 4/15/20)
Edunomics Lab (Added 3/31/20)
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) COVID-19 Updates (Added 3/20/20)
FRAC One-Pager on Child and Adult Care Food Program: New USDA Waivers (Added 4/24/20)
FRAC Summary of USDA's Nationwide Child Nutrition Waivers in Response to COVID-19 (Updated 8/20/20)
Franczek Education Law Insights Podcasts on Coronavirus Issues for Schools (Added 4/24/20)
Future ED: What Congressional COVID Funding Means for K-12 Schools (Added 5/19/20)
GASB Emergency Toolbox Addressing Issues from the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 4/21/20)
GASB Proposes to Postpone Effective Dates of Certain Pronouncements (Added 4/21/20)
Government Financial Officer's Association (GFOA) Fiscal First Aid Resource Center (Added 4/3/20)
Harvard Global Health Institute: The Path to Zero and Schools: Achieving Pandemic Resilient Teaching and Learning Spaces (Added 8/17/20)
Healthline: What to Know About PMIS, the COVID-19-Linked Syndrome Affecting Children (Added 5/26/20)
Healthy Building Network COVID-19 Resources: Informed Choice for Better Health (Added 5/26/20)
Healthy Green Schools & Colleges: How to Safely Disinfect for Coronavirus (Added 5/26/20)
Healthy Green Schools & Colleges: Guidelines for COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection (Added 9/24/20)
Healthy Schools Campaign: COVID-19 Resources for Cleaning Staff (Added 5/26/20)
Healthy Schools Network / Coalition for Healthier Schools COVID-19 Resources for Cleaning & Disinfecting Facilities (Added 4/7/20)
ILR Briefly: COVID-19 Liability, Litigation in the Time of COVID-19 (Added 5/4/20)
ISTE / EdSurge Resources for Schools to Cope with Coronavirus (Added 3/16/20)
JD Supra Coronavirus/COVID-19 News & Analysis (Added 4/2/20)
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Report: Filling in the Blanks, National Research Needs to Guide Decisions About Reopening Schools in the United States (Added 5/26/20)
Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy: CARES Act Analysis H.R. 748 (Added 4/8/20)
Johns Hopkins University of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center: Which U.S. States Meet WHO Recommended Testing Criteria? (Added 8/4/20)
Kaiser Family Foundation: What Do We Know About Children and Coronavirus Transmission (Added 8/21/20)
Learning Policy Institute (LPI): Making School Budgets Whole and Equitable During and After COVID-19 (Added 7/17/20)
Learning Policy Institute (LPI): Reopening Schools in the Context of COVID-19: Health and Safety Guidelines from Other Countries (Added 5/19/20)
Learning Policy Institute (LPI): What Will It Take to Stabilize Schools in the Time of COVID-19? (Added 5/19/20)
MyCentralJersey Article: Teacher Creates National Database of COVID-19-Related School Closings, Cases, and Deaths (Added 8/17/20)
NAAEE: Guide to Advocating for Outdoor Classrooms in Coronavirus-Era School Reopening (Added 9/9/20)
National Association of School Nurses
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO): Budget Blog: April Tax Collections Plummet from Tax Deadline Shifts and Fallout of COVID-19 (Added 5/26/20)
National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO): State Budget Basics During an Economic Downturn (Added 5/26/20)
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): Educator's Guide to Virtual Learning: Actions to Support Students with Disabilities (Added 3/25/20)
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): Student Privacy and Special Education: Educator's Guide During and After COVID-19 (Added 8/4/20)
National Center for Systemic Improvement: COVID-19 Resource Hub for Supporting Students with Disabilities (Added 3/25/20)
National Council on School Facilities: COVID-19 Guidance, Working Sessions on Reopening K12 Schools (Updated 6/10/20)
National Education Association (NEA)
National PTA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources (Added 3/31/20)
National School Boards Association: COVID-19 Preparing for Widespread Illness In Your School Community: Legal Guide for School Leaders (Added 6/5/20)
National School Boards Association: Fostering Safer Schools: A Legal Guide for School Board Members on School Safety (Added 6/5/20)
National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)
New America--Everything You Need to Know: Education in the Coronavirus Emergency Bill (Added 4/10/20)
No Kid Hungry Best Practices, Tools, & Resources for School Districts Feeding Students During COVID-19 (Added 4/8/20)
No Kid Hungry Emergency Grants to School Districts and Nonprofit Organizations (Added 3/20/20)
NPR: Are the Risks of Reopening Schools Exaggerated? (Added 10/23/20)
NPR: FEMA Says It Will Stop Paying for Cloth Face Masks for Schools (Added 9/2/20)
NPR: A Looming Financial Meltdown for America's Schools (Added 5/26/20)
NPR Special Series on Coronavirus Crisis
Parabola Project: School Reopening Readiness Guide, Last Updated July 24 (Added 8/24/20)
Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network: Rapid Response Resources for COVID-19 (Added 3/31/20)
POLITICO: CDC Says Coronavirus Is Airborne, But Weakens Language From Earlier Warning (Added 10/6/20)
POLITICO: CDC Denounces 'Unethical and Illegal' Mandatory Coronavirus Testing in Schools (Added 10/16/20)
REHVA COVID-19 Guidance: How to Operate and Use Building Services to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in Workplaces(Added 8/4/20)
School-Based Health Alliance COVID-19 Resources (Added 5/27/20)
School-Based Health Alliance COVID-19 Telehealth Resources (Added 5/27/20)
School Leader Voices: Concerns and Challenges to Providing Meaningful IDEA-related Services During COVID-19 (Added 7/17/20)
School Nutrition Association (SNA) COVID Resources
School Nutrition Association (SNA) Survey: Impact of COVID-19 on School Nutrition Programs: Back to School 2020 (Added 10/23/20)
School Transportation News: CDC Recommends One Student Per School Bus Seat, Skipping Rows (Added 5/26/20)
Schools for Health: Risk Reduction Strategies for Reopening Schools (Added 8/21/20)
STARTS: Student Transportation Aligned for Return to Schools: Guidelines, Tactics, and Templates (Added 7/17/20)
Tech for Learners: Online Learning Products, Resources, & Services to Facilitate and Expand Online Learning (Added 3/25/20)
Texas Association of School Boards Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (Added 3/25/20)
The 74: Analysis: Pandemic-Fueled Financial Turbulence is Hitting School Districts Across the Country. Here's What to Watch For (Added 8/21/20)
The 74: Analysis: We Reviewed the School Reopening Plans for 106 Districts Around the Country. Here's How They Square With Reality (Added 10/16/20)
The 74: Politics, Not Science, Is Driving School Reopening Decisions to a 'Really Dangerous' Degree, Research Suggests (Added 10/21/20)
The 74: Reality Check: What Will It Take to Reopen Schools Amid a Pandemic? From Finances to Teaching to Learning Loss Q&A (Added 8/4/20)
The 74: The Coronavirus Closed Schools in a Flash. But Detailed Planning Must Guide Students’ Return to Classrooms (Added 5/19/20)
The National Law Review: Summary of CARES Act - SBA Loans, Tax Relief, Rebates, Employee Benefits, and Other Provisions (Added 3/31/20)
The National Law Review: FAQs on New Paid Leave Entitlements Under FFCRA for Public Sector Employers (Added 3/31/20)
The New York Times Coronavirus Resources for Teaching and Learning
Thomas Fordham Institute: Strategies to Help Schools Navigate the COVID-19 Cash Crunch (Added 10/23/20)
Trane Technologies: IAQ-Related HVAC Guidance from ASHREA and CDC for COVID-19 (Video) (Added 8/4/20)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: State-by-State Business Reopening Guidance (Added 5/12/20)
University of Washington, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences: Safer Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Strategies to Reduce and Prevent COVID-19 Transmission (Added 5/26/20))
Washington Post: Confused by CDC's Changing Guidance on School Reopening? (Added 8/4/20)
Washington Post: Here Is Exactly What the CDC Wants Schools and Camps to Do Before Reopening (Added 6/5/20)
Working with FEMA to Address COVID-19 Housing and Homeless Needs (NLIHC Toolkit) (Added 4/24/20)
School District and State Education & Health Agency Resources on COVID-19 (Updated 7/17/20)
California Department of Education: Letter from State Director of Special Education on Educating Students with Disabilities (Added 4/1/20)
Considerations for Reopening Pennsylvania Schools (Added 7/17/20)
Cypress Fairbanks ISD Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Fulton County Schools COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates
NYC Health Department Fact Sheet: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) as associated with COVID-19 (Added 5/26/20)
Parkrose School District Resources
Illinois State Board of Education: Remote Learning Recommendations During COVID-19 Emergency (Added 4/24/20)
Texas Education Agency: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support and Guidance
Virginia Department of Education: COVID-19 & Virginia Public Schools Guidance and Resources
Virginia Department of Education: Superintendent's & Principals' Memos (Added 3/31/20)
Washington State Health Department Resource: AOE Webinar Series Solutions for Healthy Buildings in the age of COVID-19 (Added 5/6/20)
Members-Only Resources (Login Required) (Updated 10/7/20)
ASBO International Network Discussions & Blogs: (Updated 10/7/20)
ASBO International Toolkits: (Updated 8/3/20)
- Working Together for Student Success: A Guide for SBOs & CTOs (See section on IT Infrastructure & Systems Management for tips/resources on cloud computing, interoperability, and maintaining continuity during a crisis. See section on Data Management & Security for tips to protect student data and privacy, develop policies via stakeholder engagement, and improve cybersecurity in schools)
- Inclusive Technology Toolkit - Local Procurement Practices (Provides tips about promoting inclusive procurement practices to accommodate all learners, including students with disabilities)
- Inclusive Technology Toolkit - Extra Resources (Provides resources on digital accessibility, digital learning, and procuring learning technologies to support all students)
- Inclusive Technology During the COVID-19 Crisis (Provides key questions and considerations to facilitate collaborative and inclusive processes for procuring and implementing education technology to support all learners in a virtual/online, hybrid, or in-person environment due to COVID-19, including students with disabilities.) (Added 8/3/20)
- Back to School Toolkit for Safe and Healthy Schools (Provides information, checklists, and resources about green cleaning for schools.)
- School Safety & Crisis Planning Toolkit (Compiles crisis planning, management, and response tips and resources for a variety of emergencies.)
ASBO International Webinars (Updated 10/6/20)
ASBO International File Library Resources (Updated 6/10/20)
(Have another useful resource on COVID-19 to share that’s not listed? Contact us.)