Members of the Twin Rivers School Board expressed concern Tuesday parents and the public understand policies regarding COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and quarantine are consistent across the district.
The district is going to continue to provide information to help with that, according to district officials, who acknowledged their response to COVID-19 is also evolving and changing as the situation changes. The information was shared during the board’s monthly meeting.
“I want to make sure that there is consistency among building since we are dealing with over 900 students in schools that are roughly 20 minutes apart,” said Dr. Ben Johnson, superintendent.
He also said with something of this nature, constant monitoring was essential, keeping the healthy kids in school and getting the sick kids home.
“Our students need to be in school,” Johnson said.
The district plans to provide updates to the community in a variety of ways, including through its website.
Updated protocols as of Sept. 9 require, among other things, that positive individuals quarantine for 10 days. They may return on the 11th day as long as symptoms improve and their temperature is below a certain level for 24 hours.
Anyone identified through contact tracing with exposure will need to report to the school nurse daily for 14 days from exposure to be screened for illness. They will be allowed to remain in school as long as they wear a mask and do not show symptoms, according to district policy.
The district is coordinating with the Butler County Health Department and other school groups in developing policy, according to the discussion.
According to Johnson, the district has had 93% attendance.
“I have had other schools contacting us to see what we are doing. Malden was one of the schools who has contacted me,” Johnson said.
School board member Billy Watson urged the necessity for consistency between the schools.
“It’s super easy for people to complain when they think things are not being consistent,” he said, adding he feels sorry for faculty and people working at the school.
In other business:
High school principal Misty Lovelace recognized the students of the month for September: freshman, Reese Crismon; sophomore, Alissa Stanley; junior, Suzanna Oglevie; and senior, Emma Thurman.
The board was told the FFA Trap team applied for a grant through Midway USA and received $926 to help fund practice targets.