Despite virus spike, officials back in-class ed

CELINA - School officials vow to forge ahead with in-person learning for as long as they can even as the coronavirus continues to lob obstacles their way, superintendent Ken Schmiesing asserted at Monday night's regular board meeting.

Since July, 310 staff and students at Celina City Schools have either tested positive for COVID-19, had probable cases or were asked to quarantine, Schmiesing said. Of that total, 17 students and 33 staff members have tested positive for the virus. Also, three students and two staff members had probable cases.

No cases of COVID-19 are believed to have originated within the school buildings. Rather, they spread from outside in the community, Schmiesing confirmed, citing health department contact tracing methodology.

He spotlighted current COVID-19 statistics, noting the numbers are in perpetual flux as some teachers and staff exit quarantine while others enter it.

As of the end of the school day on Monday, in primary school, one student and no staff were in quarantine; elementary school, 18 students and no staff are in quarantine; intermediate school, three students and five staff were in quarantine; middle school, four students and four staff are in quarantine; high school, 83 students and two staff were in quarantine; and Tri Star, two staff and no students were in quarantine.

Still, an undeterred Schmiesing believes district safety protocols are adequate to continue in-person learning amid a surge of COVID-19 cases, both locally and nationally.

Building administrators also share that viewpoint, he added.

"They feel the same as I do that we need to continue with having our students in our buildings for as long as we can," Schmiesing said. "Many of our students need the extra help, which we can provide with their schoolwork, many of these being special-education students."

Parents rely on the schools to remain open so they can go to work while many students depend on the cafeterias for their breakfasts and lunches, meals that will continue to be offered at no cost to them through the end of the school year, Schmiesing said.

"Now we do seem to rotate staff as there are some in quarantine, others are returning back to the classroom," he said. "Yes, we are short on subs, but there's no question the positive character of our staff and of our administrators has kept us going. So we feel that we can continue to go as we are.

Yet Schmiesing hopes Gov. Mike DeWine's newly reinforced health mandates will curb the increase in COVID-19 cases in Mercer County.

"And maybe we'll be able to get this thing turned around," he said.

Per health district protocol, students and staff who test positive are asked to isolate at home for 10 days from the onset of symptoms while those who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are asked to quarantine for 14 days. Those who have been exposed to a close contact with COVID-19 and experience symptoms are considered a probable case.

Responding to a question from board president Bill Sell, Schmiesing said parents and students are notified only when their teachers test positive, not if they're in quarantine.

Sell asked if it would be difficult to let parents know if their child's teacher is in quarantine.

"I think it would probably add confusion. I think we're better off following what the department of health has recommended that we follow," Schmiesing replied.

High school principal Phil Metz, when asked about the staff's general attitude, said dealing with COVID-19 is tiring, but employees are holding up and recognize what they're doing is best for students.

Teachers prefer to be with students in the classroom, and most seek to get back as soon as they can if sidelined by potential exposure or a positive test, he said.

Moreover, teachers in quarantine can still teach at the school as long as they're asymptomatic, have their temperatures checked, wear masks and practice social distancing, Metz said.

"We've got teachers that could have stayed home but they come here and quarantine. They just distance from their students," he said.

Board member Craig Flack assured those watching the meeting on Facebook that he and his colleagues care about those affected by COVID but asked for understanding.

"There's no perfect plan here," he said. "We're doing the best we can in the middle of a pandemic, and so unfortunately, I think some people are expecting perfection and that's not going to happen. There's going to be quarantines, unfortunately. God forbid, there's going to be cases. But we're doing the best we can with what we can."

Sell encouraged the public to reach out to board members with concerns or questions.

"I may not always agree with some of the emails or texts that I might get as far as people being really upset but feel free to contact us. That's why we're here," he said.