Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Vaccine mandate deadline passes
COLFAX - The governor's ultimatum for teachers and school staff to have COVID vaccinations by Oct. 18 has passed and Whitman County didn't lose anyone.
Gov. Jay Inslee required all school employees to be vaccinated against COVID or have their employment terminated. There were terms to grant exemptions to be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons.
Colfax is the largest school district and employs 95 people, according to Superintendent Jerry Pugh. Seventeen employees received exemptions. No employees were terminated or resigned.
Colton School District Superintendent Paul Clark said they have 27 employees and four received exemptions. No employees resigned or were fired.
"I had colleagues that weren't excited about getting their shots," said Clark. "But we want what's best for our kids and our community."
St. John-Endicott School Districts Superintendent Suzanne Schmick said Endicott schools have 43 employees and 19 were granted exemptions. No one resigned or was terminated. St. John schools have 59 paid employees and 25 were granted exemptions. No one resigned and no one was fired.
"I am delighted. I need my staff. Our children need our staff and I am delighted at keeping everyone," said Schmick.
LaCrosse School District had eight exemptions, according to Superintendent Doug Curtis. The district has about 40 employees, according to the district website. No employees resigned or were terminated.
Oakesdale has 46 paid employees and 19 were granted exemptions. No one resigned and no one was terminated, said Superintendent Jake Dingman.
Palouse School District Superintendent Mike Jones said, "We didn't lose any staff to resignation or termination, and are in full compliance with the state mandate."
The district has about 50 employees. Jones didn't disclose how many received exemptions.
Rosalia School District has 51 employees and 13 received exemptions. Superintendent Brett Baum said none of them resigned or were terminated.
"Rosalia had no issues reaching the deadline," he said.
The Gazette was unable to reach Garfield School District Superintendent Zane Wells, Pullman School District Superintendent Bob Maxwell, or Tekoa School District Superintendent John Cordell.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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