With Elk and McKean counties on the list of counties at moderate risk for community spread of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to closely monitor local trends and follow recommended guidelines.
Luckily, school districts have the upper hand this school year, with a reasonable amount of time to plan for a possible outbreak of the coronavirus in the area. The Era reached out to school superintendents in both Elk and McKean counties to find out how districts plan on responding if the moderate spread continues or increases.
Matthew Splain, superintendent of the Otto-Eldred School District, said they are closely watching the data from McKean and surrounding Pennsylvania and New York counties. If an increase in spread continues and a change in the current instructional model is needed, Splain said the district hopes to first move to their hybrid solution, which would result in roughly 30% less students in both buildings, with certain grade level bands learning remotely.
“Our classes could utilize more space in each building to distance students,” noted Splain.
In a video posted to the Otto-Eldred YouTube channel, Splain suggested various precautions that could help prevent further spread, including following social distancing protocols, masking, washing hands, keeping children home when they feel unwell and obtaining flu shots, reminding watchers that “what happens outside of school impacts inside of school.”
Ridgway Area School District Superintendent, Heather A. McMahon-Vargas, said they “will continue to analyze school, district and community level data, including student and staff absenteeism, cases, exposures and close contacts.”
Additionally, she noted that all district plans and procedures are based on the orders and recommendations of Gov. Tom Wolf, the state Department of Health, Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control.
“The district will continue to follow board approved health and safety plans for daily instructional practices and for athletic/extracurricular activities,” McMahon-Vargas explained.
David London, superintendent from the Smethport Area School District, had similar sentiments, adding that “if the pandemic prompts us to adjust our instructional model, we will do so according to the terms outlined in our Health and Safety Plan as approved in August or amended at a future Board of Directors meeting.”
Dr. G. Brian Toth, superintendent of the St. Mary’s Area School District, said they are currently watching the rates and conferring with neighboring districts.
“The Elk County superintendents have routinely partnered and will have a Google Meet again on Thursday afternoon to review the situation,” he explained. “We do not want to jump into a decision because as you know, all things COVID change quickly.”
