During the Monday, November 9 Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Joe Nelson gave a detailed COVID-19 update for all schools in the district. At the elementary school, as of Monday, there were ten staff out, though not all were positive. Four elementary students were out due to positive tests. At the middle school, one student was out but no staff. At the high school, five staff members were out but only two had tested positive, while there were 2 student cases.
He added that staff being out has been a bigger problem than student absences, but everyone is doing a good job at moving around, stepping up and helping out where they can. Nelson reiterated that as of early in the week, there were no plans to shut down any of the CGD schools. He said, “Our goal is to keep kids in school but also healthy and safe.”
In a facility update, Nelson noted that the district recently met with both Kids Korner Daycare and the City of Clarion about facility plans. The district is contemplating building an early childhood learning center on the southeast corner of the elementary campus adjoining the existing elementary school. This facility would cater to ages 3 through 5 and be operated by the district with a focus on preparing for Kindergarten. They are also looking at adding gym space north of the high school. This facility might also be available to the city for rec department activities.
In other business, there will be no school the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. There were no staffing changes on the agenda, just two maternity leave requests.
