COVID19: FAQs

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Will teachers be paid if schools are closed?

Yes. State law requires it: “In case of epidemic sickness prevailing to such an extent that the school or schools in any school district shall be closed, teachers shall be paid their usual salaries in full for such time as the school or schools shall be closed.”

Will teachers and students have to make up time in the summer?

Nebraska Commissioner of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt said he will waive requirements for schools days for the year.  The important thing is for schools to do their best to provide as much learning as possible.

Who makes the call on whether teachers report to their building or not?

Your school district administrative team.  However, if you are ill or immunocompromised you should contact your building administrator and discuss alternatives to reporting to your building.

WHERE CAN I FIND GUIDANCE FROM THE NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (NDE) REGARDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

Find helpful information from the NDE, including the Commissioner of Education’s Communication with Schools, Resources for Schools, Resources for Students, General Information, and Nebraska and National Resources regarding COVID-19 at https://www.education.ne.gov/publichealth/resources/

What about special education teachers with IEPs due?

IEP teams may, but are not required to, include distance learning plans in a child’s IEP that could be triggered and implemented during a selective closure during a COVID-19 outbreak. This March 16 announcement from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) also addressed students who are absent due to illness or health vulnerability. Find  details at the NDE website at www.education.ne.gov under the ‘Resources for Schools’ tab.  

Should I track the hours I work away from school?

Yes. An accurate, detailed count of those hours may come into play later. Also keep track of unusual circumstances and any administrative directives regarding work hours.

What if I don’t feel well?

If you are sick, do not go to work. Send a letter to your principal and ask for administrative leave. Now is the time to use your sick leave. If you are in one of the high-risk categories – older or have diabetes or asthma or other pre-existing conditions – it is not a good idea to go to school.

What are the Educators Health Alliance and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska doing to meet the needs of plan participants during this pandemic?

The EHA – comprised of the NSEA, the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the Nebraska Association of School Boards – manages the health insurance program provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Testing for the coronavirus will be covered, with no cost share. Plan members will also have free access to the EHA’s Telehealth program until further notice, with no cost share. In addition, restrictions around prescription refills have been eased. Find details at: www.ehaplan.org

I am set to use my sick days for maternity leave the final five weeks of school. If schools close, will I still lose those days since the paperwork has long been filled out and submitted?

Contact your NSEA organizational specialist for advice. Such issues will likely have to be dealt with on a school-by-school and case-by-case basis.

Who is my NSEA organizational specialist?

To find the organizational specialist assigned to your school district go to: www.nsea.org/field-staff-units Reach your organizational specialist at 1-800-742-0047.

What about testing?

The Nebraska Department of Education has suspended the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) testing originally scheduled for the week of March 16-20.  

Will paraprofessionals, secretaries, cafeteria workers and bus drivers be paid?

This is up to each school district. Some school districts have passed resolutions to pay non-certificated employees while others are having them continue to work in various roles.

Will hourly employees be able to keep their health insurance if they end up not being paid during closure?

Again, that will be up to each school district’s administration and school board. We hope and believe that school districts will do the right thing and maintain jobs and the benefits that go along with those jobs.

Are teachers able to donate their sick days to other staff who may have used all their sick days?

The ability to donate sick days to your colleagues depends on your local association’s contract. Talk to your local association leaders or call your NSEA organizational specialist at 1-800-742-0047.

I’m worried about school funding and as a result, my job security. Is this going to affect school funding next year?

While the Speaker has suspended the legislative session until further notice, senators indicate they will pass a budget for the coming fiscal year as soon as it is possible for them to reconvene. NSEA is working with state senators to ensure aid to education is not cut. You can help by contacting your state senator to fully fund state aid to education.

What does this mean for student teachers midway through their semester?

Teachers-to-be who are in their student teaching semester should work with their cooperating teacher and their college or university’s supervising professor to make sure that the conditions of their student teaching program are met, if possible. Nebraska is a college referral state, so if your college/university believes you are qualified and have met your benchmarks, it may have the latitude to recommend you for certification.

What about extra duty pay for spring sports that may be canceled? Will coaches have to return that pay?

Contact your NSEA organizational specialist and work with your school district administrative team to address canceled or shortened athletic or activity seasons. Instead of student contact hours, there may be other duties related to the athletic or activity program that can be performed in exchange for the extra duty pay.