C-K Off to a 'Successful' Start in 2020-21

The Claysburg-Kimmel School Board met via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Darren J. McLaurin, district superintendent, informed the board that the district’s return to school has been a successful one. At that time the district was completing its first full week in the hybrid model and, although not an ideal educational setting, students and staff were meeting the challenge, the superintendent said.

“The students have done a great job following the mask and social distancing directives. In turn, our staff, including nurses, custodians, secretaries, teachers, support staff, principals, food service workers, and tech support, has done an amazing job prioritizing student safety while making the school setting as ‘normal’ as we possibly can,” McLaurin said.

McLaurin thanked parents/guardians who were reinforcing with their children the importance of following the safety protocol and for partnering with the district through this challenging time.

“In light of what has happened in neighboring districts as well as in schools across the country, I am sure the question on everyone’s minds is what will happen if/when Claysburg Kimmel has a positive COVID case in one of our schools,” McLaurin said. “The Department of Health has issued guidance to schools regarding various scenarios.”

First and foremost, McLaurin said, it is the district’s goal to communicate with parents openly regarding COVID exposure within the schools. He said it is never the district’s intent to keep anything from the board or the community.

With that being said, the district is limited by law as to what it can share, he said. McLaurin said the law is very clear when it applies to personal health information. It is a violation of a person’s privacy rights to share any health information, he said. This includes a positive COVID diagnosis.

“We must do everything we can to protect the identity of anyone who may test positive as per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,” McLaurin sa said. “That may be the reason why school districts would be very vague about specifically where or when a case is identified.”

The likelihood of a student or staff member experiencing symptoms that resemble COVID-19 will continue to grow as we approach the flu and cold season, McLaurin said. Symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, and body aches though signs of COVID, can also be an indication of many other viruses that occur this time of year.

“Parents will not be notified every time an individual is sent home with symptoms,” McLaurin said. “The individual displaying symptoms that are consistent with COVID will be isolated immediately and sent home with a referral from the school nurse to see his/her health care provider.”

In the event the district receives word that a student or staff member has tested positive, the Department of Health will immediately be notified, McLaurin said. The parents of all those in close contact will be individually contacted by school or Department of Health personnel and may be advised to self-quarantine, he said.

McLaurin said the Department of Health has provided guidelines to school districts regarding the closure of a school in the event that a positive COVID case or multiple positive COVID cases should occur within a 14-day period. Based on the number of cases identified, the intervention could range from a deep cleaning, to closing the school for five to 14 days, he said.

“There are many factors at play when determining the appropriate action to take in the event of a positive COVID case,” McLaurin said. “Our goal will be to communicate as much information as we can while respecting the privacy of those impacted. We will continue to evaluate the Department of Health and state guidance while considering the health of our students and staff a priority when making educational decisions throughout the school year.”

Homecoming

The board approved Friday, Oct. 9, as the Homecoming game. The Bulldogs will host Williamsburg at 7 p.m.

The district will purchase real estate adjacent to school district property for the price of $40,000. Michelle Smithmyer, business manager, said the plans at this point are to turn the property into additional parking areas.

The board accepted the retirement of Clair Deavor from his position as a part-time custodian.

John Kowalski’s retirement from his position as school psychologist, effective Jan. 31, 2021, was approved.

Kristy Albright was added to the list of support staff substitutes.

The board accepted the resignation of Matt Musselman from his position as varsity wrestling coach.

Kyle Nale was named to the position of assistant varsity football coach.

The board approved the following additions to the list of approved volunteers: Christina Claar (volleyball), Eric Claar (event staff/game helper), Mike Harris (event staff/game helper), Sam Mauk (golf advisor), Rebecca Benton (event staff/game helper) and Kristen Helsel (game/event helper).

All district teachers were approved as detention monitors and as homebound instructors, to be assigned at the discretion of the principal(s) as needed.

Richard Gergely, board president, said the board met in a closed-door session prior to the meeting to discuss personnel items.

The next official board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.