Last week, Governor Lamont renewed through September 30, 2021 the state’s public health and civil preparedness emergency declarations, which were thereafter approved by the General Assembly.

On July 19, 2021, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order No. 13.  Among other things, Executive Order 13 states that “a small number of unexpired COVID-19 Orders … remain critical to the protection of public health and safety and the maintenance of civil preparedness and will remain critical to ensuring an efficient and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to the … continued provision of needed healthcare and childcare in a safe and effective manner to residents throughout the state.”

In light of these considerations, Governor Lamont extended a handful of Executive Orders through September 30, 2021, including but not limited to:

  • Executive Order 9, Section 1 (which authorizes the Commissioners of Early Childhood and Education to issue binding guidance, rules, or orders for the operation of schools or childcare settings that each deems necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic), and
  • Executive Order 12A (which requires masks regardless of vaccination status in certain settings where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is higher or where the population within such settings faces a greater risk of severe health effects from COVID-19 and requires the Commissioner of Public Health to issue rules for the wearing of masks in such settings).

Executive Order 13 further provides that “[a]ny unexpired order, rule, regulation, directive or guidance issued by any official, agency, department, municipality, or entity pursuant to an unexpired COVID-19 Order, which by its own terms provides that it shall remain in place for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, shall remain in effect through September 30, 2021, unless earlier modified or terminated by the issuing authority or a subsequent executive order or by the expiration of its enabling executive order.”  Any COVID-19-related order not explicitly extended or modified by Executive Order 13, however, expired on July 20, 2021.

In light of Executive Order 13, school districts are advised to closely monitor guidance issued by the Commissioners of Education and Public Health, as such guidance continues to be binding on school districts as they prepare to reopen in the Fall of 2021, at least until September 30, 2021 and unless otherwise modified.

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Photo of Linda L. Yoder Linda L. Yoder

Linda has more than 25 years of experience advising public and independent schools and colleges on education matters. Linda has worked with many school districts throughout the state on general education, litigation and special education matters. She currently focuses her practice in the…

Linda has more than 25 years of experience advising public and independent schools and colleges on education matters. Linda has worked with many school districts throughout the state on general education, litigation and special education matters. She currently focuses her practice in the areas of special education, investigations of discrimination claims including Title IX, sexual harassment or race discrimination, and representation of schools in administrative and court litigation matters involving such areas as First Amendment rights, student discipline, or contract disputes.

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Photo of Dori Pagé Antonetti Dori Pagé Antonetti

Dori Pagé Antonetti is a member of the School Law Practice Group where she represents a wide range of educational institutions, including both public and independent k-12 schools in a variety of education and employment law matters.  In her day-to-day representation of clients…

Dori Pagé Antonetti is a member of the School Law Practice Group where she represents a wide range of educational institutions, including both public and independent k-12 schools in a variety of education and employment law matters.  In her day-to-day representation of clients, Dori draws on her unique experience as a former educator for Teach for America.  This experience, coupled with her time as a hearing review officer for the New York City Office of Labor Relations, allows Dori to analyze issues from a practical perspective, which brings significant advantages to her clients.

Most recently, Dori’s practice has focused on assisting school districts and independent schools with various aspects of COVID-19 pandemic response and preparedness and return-to-school planning.  Dori has provided guidance on the requirements and implementation of ever-evolving federal and state laws and guidelines in various areas, such as employee leave, vaccine mandates, mask rules, health and safety protocols, telehealth, and sports-related issues.

Dori is a thoughtful attorney who has astute peripheral vision which allows her to help school clients identify legal issues and develop creative solutions.  She is attentive to detail, careful, and thorough.  Dori has extensive experience in policy development and review, and enjoys helping clients ensure that their policies and regulations are legally compliant, clearly written, and accomplish their intended purpose.  She also regularly advises schools on their obligations and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.  For independent school clients, Dori has extensive experience drafting and revising enrollment contracts, faculty/staff handbooks, employment contracts and advising on issues such as truth-in-lending obligations, federal funding, vaccine policies and exemption issues.

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