BEAS COVID19 Emergency Guidance

Overview

The Board of Education Assistance Services (BEAS) has issued emergency guidance to help providers of Title III nutrition services and TitleXX transportation services continue operations safely during the COVID19 pandemic. The guidance aligns with state and federal publichealth directives, emphasizes infectionprevention practices, and outlines reporting and documentation requirements.

Who This Guidance Applies To

• All publicschool districts receiving BEAS funding for TitleIII nutrition programs.
• All publicschool districts receiving BEAS funding for TitleXX transportation services.
• Contracted vendors and subcontractors who deliver meals or transportation on behalf of districts.

Key Requirements

1. Health Screening

All staff, students, and visitors must undergo a temperature check or symptom questionnaire before entering school premises or boarding a bus. Screening must be documented and retained for at least 30days.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Staff involved in food preparation must wear masks and gloves at all times.
• Bus drivers and aides must wear masks; face shields are recommended in highrisk areas.
• Students are required to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth while on buses and in dining areas, unless medically exempt.

3. Physical Distancing

• Maintain a minimum of six feet between individuals wherever feasible.
• Rearrange dining areas and bus seating to allow spacing; limit capacity to 50% of normal seats on buses.
• Stagger lunch periods and bus pickup/dropoff times to reduce crowding.

4. Hand Hygiene

Handwashing stations with soap and water must be available at entry points, kitchen areas, and on each bus. Hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) must be posted where washing is impractical.

5. Cleaning & Disinfection

Hightouch surfaces (e.g., door handles, bus handrails, serving counters) must be cleaned and disinfected at least twice daily with EPAapproved products.

6. Ventilation

Improve air circulation in cafeterias and buses by opening windows and doors when weather permits and using portable HEPA filters in indoor dining spaces.

7. Communication

Provide families and staff with clear written instructions on safety protocols, symptom reporting, and isolation procedures. Updates must be posted on district websites and sent via email/phone.

Specific Guidance for TitleIII Nutrition Providers

Meal Service Adjustments

• GrabandGo: Offer prepackaged meals that can be taken offsite when possible.
• Modified Service Lines: Reduce the number of serving lines to limit traffic; use aerosolproof barriers.
• Alternative Locations: Use outdoor spaces for serving and eating when weather permits.

Special Populations

Students with medical or dietary needs must continue to receive individualized meals. Coordinate with families to arrange safe delivery or curbside pickup.

Documentation

Maintain logs of:

• Screening results for staff and students present in the kitchen or dining area.
• Cleaning schedules and products used.
• Any instances of confirmed COVID19 cases among students or staff, with timestamps of exposure.

Specific Guidance for TitleXX Transportation Providers

Bus Operations

• Limit bus occupancy to 50% of normal capacity.
• Seat students in a staggered arrangement; leave empty seats between passengers when possible.
• Require masks for all riders and drivers; provide spare masks on board.
• Install barriers between driver and passenger compartments if feasible.

Cleaning Protocols

Disinfect hightouch areas (handrails, seat backs, door handles) after each route using EPAapproved agents. Keep a cleaning log on each bus.

Ventilation and Airflow

Keep windows open when weather allows. Use the buss ventilation system on freshair mode. Portable airfilter units may be installed if budgets permit.

RideShare & Carpool Adjustments

Encourage districts to coordinate with local transit agencies to provide safe, supervised rideshare options that follow the same health protocols.

Reporting & Compliance

All incidents of suspected or confirmed COVID19 must be reported to the district health officer within 24hours and to BEAS using the online Incident Reporting Form.

Districts must submit a quarterly compliance summary that includes:

• Number of screenings performed.
• Details of any service disruptions.
• Documentation of cleaning and PPE procurement.
• Any positive cases linked to nutrition or transportation services.

Additional Resources

• CDC Guidance for Schools
• USDA TitleIII Pandemic Resources
• U.S. DOT COVID19 Transportation Guidance
• BEAS Emergency Guidance Portal login required for full documents.

Contact Information

For questions or assistance, contact your BEAS regional coordinator:

• Phone: (555) 1234567
• Email: beas.support@state.edu