At the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy, the Gasconade County R-2 Board of Education on Aug. 19 adopted the same COVID-19 leave payroll plan as they had in 2019-20 — just before positive cases in the district began to develop.

“Because (the board) declared (teachers) essential workers last December, they are still able to come to school even if they have been in close contact with a positive case, as long as they are masked,” Hardy began. “But the COVID pay has expired and we have an option as a district to go ahead if a teacher tests positive by a physician, pharmacist or the health department, or are caring for a child who tests positive by a physician, pharmacist or health department, then we would agree to pay them that COVID leave while they are out with a positive test result.”

In the first three weeks of school, positive case numbers were at 2.3 percent of the student population compared to last year’s 2.6 percent positive numbers during the same time period.

“So far this year we have had three positive cases for staff members and 21 positive student cases,” Hardy said. “We have more positive cases and that is due to the elementary school.”

The staff member exclusion rate continues to be zero percent because the board declared them essential workers last year. Prior to the declaration, the exclusion rate last year was 1.7 percent.

“Positive cases are up,” Hardy continued. “It stems from elementary students, where last year there were zero cases and this year nine students have tested positive. This year as far as close contacts there have been 43 and last year at this time we had 85 close contacts excluded. We have less exclusions based on close contacts and that is due to keeping our distance.” 

Keeping the COVID leave policy from last year is optional and would be considered a benefit. 

“When we look at it, 11 percent of our staff are new teachers and they don’t have a lot of accumulated leave,” the first-year superintendent said. “This could affect them. I am asking that we go back to July 1 on this because we do have some employees who have had to be out because of positive results.”

Funds would come from the COVID-19 money the federal government has distributed. Hardy hopes that the benefit will keep teachers from coming to school sick and potentially spreading the virus.

“I think it is a good option to pay them for COVID leave, but that is up to you,” Hardy said.

Board Director Debbie Landolt asked if the district would be updating the policy to explain the payout would only be in instances of a positive test result and Hardy agreed.

“My take is we do have a good handle on contact tracing — and I explained to teachers — last year when we came back to school with COVID we had a blank page and created a road map,” said Hardy. “This year we have a road map, plan, and maintaining social distance. The hardest part to navigate, when I give these numbers, they don’t include what happens outside of school. If people are excluded by the health department sometimes they give close contacts sometimes not.”

Many of the students have been excluded from school by the health department.

“We can’t combat that because it is not happening within school parameters,” Hardy went on to explain this week. “The school can’t say you have to stay home, it has to come from the health department. We have been more fortunate than a lot of districts in the state. Some schools have closed. We have had to postpone games for a high school team with a positive test among one of the players.”

In some cases, vaccinated students don’t have to be quarantined or excluded from games or events if they come into contact with a positive case.

“We have to follow the guidelines that the health department sets forth,” Hardy explained.

Hardy said she has had parents on both sides of the mask line. While the district does not currently have a mask mandate, the federal government continues to mandate masks on public transportation, including school buses.

“The only way to get out of those, there is no religious exemption for that, the only exception would be from a physician,” Hardy said. “We have told our parents that if they bring us something from a physician then we honor them.”

To date, the school has not received any notes of exclusion.

“The school year has gotten off to a great start and I think that is because we have great procedures in place for contact tracing and student mapping,” Hardy said on Tuesday.

The board approved the teacher, staff COVID payroll policy with a 6-0 vote.