Fall policy updates approved, first COVID case discussed

POTOMAC - The Potomac Elementary School Board unanimously approved the Montana School Board Association fall policy updates during their virtual meeting Monday, Sept. 14. They also discussed the first COVID case at the school.

The primary reasons for the policy updates were language changes around sexual harassment policies and procedures which required a re-confirmation of all of the listed policies. Students can no longer report sexual harassment anonymously to decrease the potential of false claims.

The other policy updates outside of sexual harassment included:

• Equal Educational Opportunity, Nondiscrimination & Sex Equity

• Bullying-Harassment-Intimidation-Hazing

• Student Discipline

• Equal Employment Opportunity, Nondiscrimination & Sex Equity

On Sept. 14, the school received a notification from the Missoula City-County Health Department that an individual from the school had tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was asymptomatic at the time of testing, but he or she is still required to be quarantined. According to Potomac School’s Return to School Plan, the individual who tested positive will be asked to isolate at home and not be allowed to come to school or activities until the end of their isolation period. This period of time is determined by the Health Department. Following the isolation period, someone with a positive test will be able to return once they have been fever-free for 24 hours and it has been at least 10 days since symptoms began. They do not need a negative test to return.

Contact tracers with the Health Department have identified “close contacts” and notified their families. Contacts can be considered anyone who came within six feet of someone who tested positive or who spent over 15 minutes with them directly. These can be in various settings including on the school bus.

Students and staff who had close contact with the person who tested positive will need to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the individual. As of now 10 students plus the individual that tested positive are considered close contacts and are in quarantine. Their families have been notified.

Principal John Rouse said they were lucky there was very little exposure in school as a result of the precautions staff had taken. Precautions included disinfecting surfaces as much as possible, wearing facial coverings when social distancing is not possible, keeping students six feet apart from each other and conducting daily temperature screenings.

Due to COVID-19, the school has decided to suspend their athletic practices for two weeks and the Friday Explorers Program until there is enough staffing to keep all of the students in their regular school cohort groupings. With seven groupings, the school would need at least five parent volunteers and two staff members present during Friday sessions. Parents interested in volunteering for the program should contact Christi Taillefer.

Any questions regarding the plan or the school’s response to positive tests should be directed towards Rouse at (406) 244-5581 ext. 201 or by emailing jrouse@potomacschoolmontana.us.

In addition to the updates, the board also unanimously approved the list of substitutes as well as the Fiscal Year 2020 Standard Audit Contract.

The school board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12.