NExA goes into 'red'

Northwest Expedition Academy (NExA) has gone into "red."

The Coeur d'Alene School District announced today that a staffing shortage related to positive COVID-19 cases and associated quarantines for exposed personnel has reached the point that on-site services in the building will be temporarily halted.

All teaching and learning is shifting to the at-home model. The building closure includes the School PLUS child care program at NExA.

This change will go into effect Thursday and is expected to continue through next week. The goal is to resolve the staffing challenge before the end of Thanksgiving break, Nov. 23-27. The district intends to have all students back in person starting Nov. 30.

Substitute teachers and district resources have been relied upon during staff absences this month to ensure the school could remain open. This week, NExA reached critical shortages among teachers and instructional support staff, as well as in other key positions. It became clear that these shortages would compromise the ability to effectively serve students in the building.

NExA administration and teachers will shift to providing the same level of remote instruction that has been available the past few Wednesdays. This will be the primary focus for the remainder of this week and all of next week. The district is in the process of developing a Chromebook distribution plan for NExA students.

Grab and Go meals will be available Monday through Friday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Woodland, Canfield and Lakes middle schools while NExA is closed.