School-based COVID testing would keep students in classes and cut quarantines

New Albany school trustees are considering a school-based COVID-19 testing program designed to keep kids in school and ease the load on parents by doing away with quarantining following close contact.

School nurse Tammie Reeder told board members that the idea is to slow the spread of COVID-19 by frequency testing of asymptomatic students and staff. That could forestall outbreaks of the illness in the schools.

The program is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the Mississippi State Department of Health with implementation urged as soon as practical.

School officials are saying it looks like a win-win situation for students, schools and parents.

Reeder said that studies show a problem with asymptomatic kids spreading the illness, thus the focus on them particularly. She clarified that the program would not involve those exhibiting symptoms with COVID-19.

The program includes two phases: the first running now through summer and the second for the entire 2021-2022 school year.

Although the district could use an outside source to do the testing, Reeder said she would prefer that the school nurses do it. They would be more familiar with students and Reeder does have a substitute nurse who could help with the added workload.

Testing would not be required, but would offer clear benefits to students and parents as well.

Any extra-curricular activities in which students are in close contact would be involved, and that means virtually all extra-curricular activities. Parental consent would be needed, however.

The health department would provide rapid antigen testing materials at no cost and pay $70 for each test as well to help reimburse the district for COVID-related costs.

The type of test used would be the same used in nursing homes that requires only touching the edge of the nose rather than a deeper swab.

Test results would be ready in 15 minutes but students would not need to stay and could return to class immediately.

All unvaccinated teachers and staff would be tested weekly.

All students and staff would be requested to be tested weekly. The testing cannot be used for symptomatic students or teachers.

The testing will help get rid of remote learning Wednesdays, which are not planned for the fall so students would be in classes five days a week.

It also would offer a benefit to those in close contact with someone exhibiting symptoms.

Instead of having to be quarantined for 14 days, close contact persons can simply be tested daily and stay in school until, or unless, they exhibit symptoms as well.

This will not only keep students in school but will lessen the burden on parents who might otherwise have to stay home from work to be with children when quarantined.

Reeder said the schools have no COVID cases now, but this program is to help prepare for the fall to prevent outbreaks.

When asked, Reeder said she has 72 employees who have been vaccinated, although there may be a few more who have not submitted their vaccination forms to her or have only received the first of two doses.

The district has about 215 teachers and administrative staff members.

Trustees voted approval to conditionally implement the program, once procedures and policies have been set and approved also.

Superintendent Dr. Lance Evans said that an intense educational campaign is being mounted to focus on the benefits of the program. If it is determined the program no longer is necessary, it will be ended, he added.

Also to be determined is how to deal with anti-vaxxer teachers or parents. Evans said they cannot require anyone to be tested but did note that there will be no specially-set COVID sick days next year.Any staff member who contracts the virus will have to use regular sick or personal days.

It was observed that this is the program that probably should have been implemented a year ago rather than now, but commented that at the time the government was apparently just not organized enough to do it.

Although the school-based COVID testing may not be required, Mississippi law does require students entering kindergarten or pre-kindergarten to be vaccinated for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chicken pox). For entry into the seventh grade, a further Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccination is required.

Although trustees approved moving forward with the program, they still will need to approve the policies and procedures the schools will use.

Local Scouts attended the meeting to help earn communications badges

In other business, with the end of the school year nearing when educators often change jobs, trustees handled several personnel items.

They approved;

• The resignation of Vickey Owen, bus driver, central office, effective May 21 due to retirement.
• The resignation of Amy Welborn as assistant cheer coach, New Albany High School, effective at the end of the school year.
• The resignation of David Butler, custodian, New Albany High School, effective May 1 due to retirement.
• The resignation of Pam Cobb, teacher assistant, New Albany Elementary School, effective May 25.
• The resignation of Ashley Allen, teacher, New Albany Elementary School, effective at the end of the school year.
• The resignation of Ali Randolph, teacher, New Albany Elementary School, effective at the end of the school year.
• Hiring Austin Baker, assistant girls soccer coach, New Albany High School.
• Naming Mary Scott Sanks assistant cheer coach, New Albany High School.
• Hiring Hope Brown, teacher, New Albany Elementary School.
• Hiring Sarah Weir, counselor, New Albany Elementary School.
• Hiring Hannah Carr, teacher, New Albany Elementary School, pending MDE approval of license.
• Hiring Chloe Land, teacher assistant, New Albany Elementary School.
• Hiring Heather Leigh Smith, interventionist, New Albany Middle School pending MDE approval of license.
• Hiring Bailey Montgomery, teacher and assistant softball coach, New Albany High School.
• Hiring Trent Hammond, assistant football coach (paraprofessional), New Albany High School.
• Special Services Extended School Year staff.
• Additions to substitute list.

In general business, trustees approved purchase of a new school bus from Summit Truck Group of Mississippi for $87,750. A Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality grant of $17,735 will go toward the purchase.

The board accepted nearly $15,000 in Mississippi Department of Education grants for the Career and Technical Center and a $12,734.08 CARES-related grant for a Pre-K project.

Trustees were reminded that New Albany High School graduation will be Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m. on Kitchens Field. The ceremony will be held as it was prior to COVID pandemic restrictions.

The next scheduled meeting of the New Albany School Board will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 8, in the New Albany High School Media Center.