Board of Education rejects Critical Infrastructure designation

The Cumberland County Board of Education, in regular session Thursday, voted down a proposal that would designate certain staff members as “critical infrastructure” or essential workers. In a letter from the Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Education, school administrators are advised that the state does not endorse the move, but laid out guidelines for districts that wish to adopt it. Had the board approved the measure, certain staff members could be exempted from the Tennessee Department of Health guidelines on COVID-19 exposure and instead be required to follow the CDC’s guidelines for essential workers. Under those guidelines, teachers could be required to work while awaiting test results for possible COVID-19 exposure. The board voted 5-4 against the designation.