The Knoxville School District has announced guidelines for its employees in the event of COVID-19 exposure in the upcoming school year. Under the federal government’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employees will receive two weeks of paid leave in the event that an isolation period is required. Knoxville Schools Superintendent Cassi Pearson explains the criteria for this leave, and how it will be applied within the district.

“It is on top of their other leave, the benefit package the school gives them. There are a couple of different categories. If one of our employees is required to quarantine, or if they have symptoms or have tested positive, they get up to two weeks, the equivalent of 80 hours of 100 percent pay. And it is not docked against any other leave that Knoxville Schools offers, so it’s on top of that. They also can get a two week period, up to 80 hours if a family member, a household member has to quarantine or tests positive, or is sick and they need to stay home and take care of them. And that pay is at two thirds.”

To hear more from Knoxville Schools Superintendent Cassi Pearson, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.