Hundreds of Unit 5 students were quarantined last weekas McLean County sees a surge in coronavirus cases affecting young people.
During Wednesday night's school board meeting, Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle said the “grand majority” of the district’s cases are tied to sports.
“We have had entire sports teams that had to quarantine,” said Weikle, mostly due to being identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Weikle said that’s led to a lot of questions from families wondering why those students are required to quarantine for 14 days. Weikle said the district is following guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and McLean County Health Department (MCHD).
IDPH does allow for a 10-day quarantine for close contacts not exhibiting symptoms, but Weikle clarified that is only in cases where 6 feet of distance can be maintained. That’s not something the district can guarantee, she said.
“I know it’s not popular, believe me,” said Weikle, speaking at the meeting at Normal Community West High School. “We’re not having students sit out for 14 days because we think it’s fun. We’re doing it based on the guidance of the health department to keep our students and staff safe.”
Summer School
In another matter, Unit 5 will use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to offer expanded summer school offerings this year.
In the past, the district has offered and extended the school year and Autism camp for students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), and credit recovery programs for high school students.
This summer, opportunities for additional instructional time will be expanded to students in grades preK-12 who need assistance in addressing learning loss, social and emotional needs, and academic gaps.
Weikle said because the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has recommended prioritizing higher needs students, not all students will be eligible. The district will focus on those students with the largest learning gaps and those not meeting grade-level expectations.
“Teachers and administrators are using criteria to identify students who fall in that category,” she said.
In March, District 87 announced plans to use COVID relief funding to offer summer programs to all students.
Board action
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the board voted to approve issuing of $5,150,000 of General Obligation School bonds for building improvement projects. The majority the funds will be used for ongoing projects at Chiddix Junior High School.
Board member Mike Trask said the building is plagued by a “variety of inefficiencies,” including problems with mold. Trask said up to 40 humidifiers are used throughout the building daily -- a solution he called a “band-aid.”
Unit 5 Chief Financial Officer Mary Hickman said improvements at Chiddix are “imperative,” and stressed the bond issue would have a minimal effect on taxpayers over time.
The board also voted to award a $521,259 contract to Henson Robinson Co. for a partial re-roofing of Grove Elementary School.
And, the board voted to approve a $1,095,000 bid from Central Illinois Electrical Services LLC for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) improvement. Self-cleaning ionizers will be installed in 28 district buildings to reduce spread of infectious disease, including COVID-19.
Hickman said the IAQ improvements will be paid for with ESSER funds.
"There is no solution that is 100%," he said, of protecting against COVID. "But (the ionizers) will greatly reduce the risk."
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