‘THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF DONALDE. FENNOY I E0.D. FRANK A. BARBIERI, JR. ESQ. PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL Superunrenpent Boano Cuan (OFFICE oF THe SUPERINTENDENT KAREN M. BRILL 3300 Forest Hitt BOULEVARD, C-316 BOARD Vice CHAIR [WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33405-5869 MARCIA ANDREWS. PHONE: 561-629-8566 / Fax: 561-649-6837 ALEXANDRIA AYALA UNV PALMBEACHSCIOOLS ORG BARBARA MCQUINN DEBRA L. ROBINSON, M10. January 12, 2021 ERICA WHITFIELD ‘The Honorable Ron DeSantis, Governor, State of Florida Office of the Governor The Capitol — 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Dear Governor DeSantis: On behalf of the School District of Palm Beach County, | would like to thank you and Commissioner Corcoran for your efforts in providing stability in education during the pandemic. The School District isin the process of implementing our 2021 Spring Education Plan which was recently approved by the Florida Department of Education. Our priority is ensuring the health and safety of our students and our dedicated staff as our campuses remain open. With this in mind, | am respectfully making an important request on behalf of the educators whose dedication allows our campuses to remain open. | am appealing to you to authorize that all school district employees be classified as essential workers with regard to COVID-19 vaccine distribution, thereby giving our employees priority to receive immunization. If personnel, particularly those who have direct student contact are given this designation, that will allow our schools to remain open and ensure continuous operation, so we can continue to safely serve our students, families, and communities. Certainly, | recognize the need to first vaccinate health care workers and long-term care facility residents. Going forward, as decisions are made for future distribution plans of the vaccine, | ask that you continue your support and prioritization for school districts so that we have the resources and capabilities to fully serve our students, staff, and families. Once again, | thank you and your leadership team for your commitment to school districts as we continue to provide high-quality instruction during these challenging times. | look forward to discussing my request with you further. Donald E. Fennoy Il, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools ‘The School District of Palm Beach County A Top High-Performing A-Rated School District An Equal Opportunity Education Provider and Employer