Message from the Langley Board of Education: Vaccine Mandate for Staff Update

November 12, 2021

At a Special In-Camera meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, the Langley Board of Education voted not to proceed with a vaccination mandate for staff. The Board discussed the information provided by Fraser Health, the guidelines from the provincial advisory committee, and the potential implications a vaccine mandate would have on student learning and District operations.

After discussing and deliberating, the Board determined the benefits of a vaccine mandate for staff do not outweigh the risks. We know there are many layers of protection in our District and that schools are low-risk settings for transmission. Our public health experts have informed us the majority of COVID-19 exposures in schools are driven by transmission in the community.

As a Board, we strongly believe vaccinations are a key layer of protection to help keep students, staff and families in our community healthy and safe. We will continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. Moving forward, we will be working with our employee partner groups and parent community to further promote vaccinations to staff and students.

Rod Ross, Chair

Langley Board of Education