Abby K-12 approves shortened quarantines
In an effort to cut down on time spent in virtual learning and keep students in classrooms, the Abbotsford Board of Education on Monday approved a new set of COVID-19 quarantine guidelines.
With the new plan in place, students in the district will see a reduction in the amount of time they have to quarantine if they’ve been identified as a close contact to a COVID-positive person.
“We had a Clark County meeting last Friday, and they have now released shortened quarantine options for schools,” superintendent Ryan Bargender told the board. “The idea . . . is to get students back to in-person instruction as quickly and safely as possible.”
Under the old guidelines, students who tested positive or unvaccinated students identified as close contacts were to remain quarantined for 14 days.
With the district’s new guidelines that were adopted on Monday, students who test negative for COVID-19 can return to in school instruction after seven days, so long as they test nevative and do not exhibit even mild COVID-19 symptoms.
The PCR/NAAT test must be conducted at a county testing site. Only a DHS saliva test can be done at home.
For students who refuse testing and who are not fully vaccinated, they may return to school after 10 days if they do not exhibit coronavirus symptoms, wear a mask and socially distance for the next four days.
Board member Eric Brodhagen questioned the reliability of contact tracing, and wondered if the district should continue doing it at all.
Brodhagen noted other districts in the state have discontinued contact tracing. He brought a motion to stop contact tracing but issue a blanket letter to parents in the event that a child tested positive in a classroom.
“I think at best it’s an inexact science,” Brodhagen said. “At worse, it’s an ineffective use of our time and resources. I think we’ve also learned that it’s really divisive, and pits students against students, teachers versus parents, and parents versus the community.”
Board member Sharon Archambo countered Brodhagen’s argument.
“You’re talking about the welfare of the kids,” Archambo said. “Children can be a carrier, can take it home and, if someone’s parent or grandparent dies, who’s responsible?”
Elementary school principal Gary Gunderson said that there could be unintended consequences if the district stops contact tracing, noting that the county could quarantine more than just students, but entire classrooms, athletic teams or even the district itself.
“Let’s do things that make sense, and don’t do the things that don’t make sense,” Ivone Vazquez urged her fellow board members.
Brodhagen’s motion failed to garner a second, and the board ultimately chose to continue to maintain their contact tracing policy, with Bargender encouraging students to get tested and stay vigilant outside the classroom.
New FEMA plans unveiled
HSR Associates unveiled preliminary plans for a conventional structure for the FEMA storm shelter. With the increased cost of construction materials, the district has chosen to move away from a dome design. The new cost to the district to furbish the interior will be $5.7 million.
The new plans, which will save the district nearly $700,000 in construction costs, are smaller by 500 square feet, with the theater removed. However, even with donations, the district is still short by around a million dollars.
Consultant Jordan Buss is in discussion with FEMA to see if the agency will award the district additional funding. The district is ramping up its fund raising efforts, and is open to offering naming rights to the FEMA shelter for any interested donors.
Other business
_ The board accepted the resignation of Abigail Schreiner as middle school girls basketball coach.
_ The board approved Terrie Liss as JV2 volleyball coach and Lyan Villegas as an elementary teacher assistant.
_ Bargender told the board that repairs on the district’s pool have begun, with construction scheduled to be done by Dec. 31.
