On August 31, the Newton Rotary Club heard from member Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1 schools, about the effects of COVID on our school district. He shared data from last year, showing how very few cases at the beginning of the school year soon increased and caused more than 175 students to be quarantined. The 2019-2020 school year offered remote learning, but this year students will be in person. Last year, students were expected to wear masks, but this year it was optional. When Johnson surveyed faculty regarding remote learning during the actual school day, they tended to have about a 50/50 split in preference. The overall feel of the staff and administration is that
remote learning is not a good option for learning but if needed could be considered.
The school district has been consulting regularly with the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and our local health department, to arrive at best practices, and due to the changing nature of the pandemic this advice also must change from time to time. Plans change as new facts are learned. It is a very fluid situation.
All staff will be required to either be vaccinated or submit to frequent testing per the latest executive order from the Governor. People testing positive will be required to isolate and those who may have been exposed will quarantine. Contact tracing is being done by the Jasper County Health Department in an attempt to halt the spread of positive cases.
Some changes are being made in the handling of the internal contact for students to reduce the amount of time they spend in close contact. These changes are in hopes of having less students potentially being in contact with COVID positive students and therefore also reducing the number of days students are
quarantined. Last year, about 70% of students were affected by absences due to isolation and quarantine, causing about 8,000 lost days, and an average of 10 absent days per student.
This year, a burst of cases has prompted the use of masks again, and continuing other mitigation methods. Efforts will be made to improve ventilation to provide fresher, cleaner air. Considerations are also taken regarding the mental and social effects on the students and staff.
Johnson is determined to work in cooperation with all involved parties and to continue to address problems as they arise. He acknowledged the extra hard work and difficulties faced by the students, faculty and staff, which at times has been hostile, while others make a point to express appreciation to them. He finished by saying “we owe the kids an education and we will do whatever it takes to provide that for them.”
