USD 489 Board of Education meets, quarantines for school contacts now optional

Alicia Feyerherm, Editor-in-Chief|April 6, 2021

Superintendent Ron Wilson (right) discusses updates to COVID protocol. After Easter break, parents will be given the choice whether to quarantine their child if they are exposed to COVID at school. Those exposed outside of school will still be required to quarnatine.

Superintendent Ron Wilson (right) discusses updates to COVID protocol. After Easter break, parents will be given the choice whether to quarantine their child if they are exposed to COVID at school. Those exposed outside of school will still be required to quarnatine.

USD 489 Board of Education met on March 29 for a regular meeting.

GPS paraeducator supervisor Myrna LeCount is retiring at the end of this school year after 28 years of service with USD 489. Also, industrial technology teacher Chris Dinkel will also be retiring after 25 years of service with USD 489.

Superintendent Ron Wilson shared COVID updates. Approximately 200 staff members will receive their second round of vaccinations at the beginning of April, and there are currently no COVID cases in the district.

“Our numbers look outstanding,” Wilson said. “I hate to get too excited, but if we continue this, it’s a great thing.”

In response to the lowered COVID cases, quarantine due to close contact within school will be optional, starting April 6.

“We’ll notify parents and let them know they’ve been in close contact with someone who’s positive, and we will give them the option [to quarantine] if they are asymptomatic,” Wilson said.

Masks will continue to be enforced.

“It’s a safety measure we have in place, and we want to continue it for a little while longer,” Wilson said.

Interviews are taking place for the next Hays High principal as well as an assistant principal. Wilson said he hopes to have those selections approved by the board at the next meeting.

21afeyerherm@usd489.com