The Rochester CUSD #3a Board of Education held its regular meeting on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. The Board reviewed the tentative district budget for FY22, placing it on display at the Bruce Hayes Administration Center and the District website for 30 days. There will be a public hearing on the FY22 budget on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. in the Rochester High School Learning commons prior to action during the regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
During administrator reports, all principals reported a positive start to the school year. School is in session full time five days per week for the first time since the pandemic has begun which is cause for celebration. All students have been complying with wearing masks which has resulted in students being able to stay in school versus quarantine. Superintendent Cox reported that approximately 85 students and staff would have been quarantined during the first two days of school if universal masking was not in place.
SHIELD Screening for COVID-19 is set to begin Wednesday, August 16, 2021. The screening will take place one time per week and be completed by saliva-based collection. Families who wish to provide consent for weekly SHIELD screening may do so here. Superintendent Cox reported that with the universal, consistent, and correct use of face masks that contact tracing, and quarantine are significantly reduced. Students and staff are not considered close contacts when both individuals are engaged in properly wearing face coverings while maintaining a distance of three to six feet.
The District is now working on the “test to stay” protocol. In instances where close contacts are identified, those individuals may participate in SHIELD screening on days one, three, five, and seven from the date of exposure in order to remain in school as long as the results of the screening are negative. Test to stay applies only to individuals who properly wear face masks and is applicable to indoor exposure with the exception of household exposures.
Action following closed session included serval personnel recommendations. To learn more about these and other items of interest see the full summary of minutes on the District website.