ROCK SPRINGS — The Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees passed a motion last night directing teachers and staff who witness COVID-19 symptoms in students to follow protocols through the school nursing offices.
The policy also calls for increased signage throughout the district strongly promoting the use of masks following a detailed report by Superintendent Kelly McGovern on the COVID-19 situation during the first month of school.
McGovern told the board that 126 students and 18 staff members district-wide tested positive for COVID-19 between August 17 and September 9, and 560 students ( just under 11 percent of the entire student population) has been quarantined between September 1 and September 9.
The new policy essentially eliminates the process of temperature screening students every day. The board discussed the topic at length last night expressing concerns about increased cases and hospitalizations across Sweetwater County.
McGovern expressed her frustration with the situation district are facing without any state health orders to guide them this year.
“I think it’s very unfair that school boards across the state, 48 districts, are put in this situation. It’s extremely difficult, and I think that’s okay to share.”
SCSD No. 1 Superintendent Kelly McGovern
Board chairwoman Carol Jelaco said she’s “having a serious sleeping problem at night with the possibility of what could happen to one of our students or one our staff base on the decisions we make.”
The entire board discussion over the COVID-19 situation in SCSD No. 1 can viewed below.
