“With the recent number of positive cases in our buildings, coupled with the staggering number of quarantines, we fear that our ability to provide in-person learning will quickly deteriorate,” Hill said.
During the week of Aug. 23-27, Springfield reported 42 positive and 252 quarantined cases, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.
“An analysis of our building data since the week of Aug. 16 shows nearly 50% of all positive cases within the SCSD are coming from students in grades 7-12. In addition, our weekly positive case count for last week exceeded any previous week from the 2020-21 school year. Although there are quarantines in our elementary schools, our data indicates that a positive case in grades 7-12, where masks are not required, results in approximately twice as many quarantines,” Hill said.
Hill said the district’s two main objectives are “to keep students and staff safe and to keep students learning in-person.”
To determine if a student has to be quarantined, the district follows guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health and Clark County Combined Health District. Under the guidelines, if someone is exposed and they are vaccinated or if they are unvaccinated but wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate social distancing, they can remain in class and participate in activities and sports as long as they are symptom free.
Hill said these guidelines are only possible if there is masking for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status; strategies to maximize physical distancing of at least three feet; and documented COVID-19 prevention policies and procedures are in place.
The district was prepared to adjust safety protocols quickly and efficiently if unsafe health conditions emerged, Hill said. Previously, the district already required masks for students in preschool through sixth grade on Aug. 23.
“As a public school district, it is our responsibility to provide students with the best possible education. Knowing from past experience that students learn best in person, the SCSD will continue to proactively implement every possible level of protection to ensure the safety of our students and staff and remain in the classroom,” Hill said.
The district will review data on a weekly basis to determine the necessity of masking.
About the Author
