CDA school board to reconsider masks

Trustees will discuss the Coeur d’Alene School District 2021-22 Reopening Plan, masking and quarantine in a special meeting at 1 p.m. today. 

The meeting comes after the district informed parents Thursday afternoon that 25 employees and 156 students were out with an active COVID-19 infection. Since Sept. 7, the start of the school year, 303 positive test results have been reported among students and staff. As of Thursday afternoon, 405 students and 40 employees were isolated at home due to pending or positive test results, COVID symptoms or exposure to another person with COVID.

In a board meeting Sept. 13, trustees voted 3-2 to adopt a COVID plan that recommended but did not require mask-wearing in schools. Trustees Jennifer Brumley, Tambra Pickford and Casey Morrisroe voted to approve the plan. Rebecca Smith and Lisa May voted against it. 

According to Idaho Code 33-512(7), students who are not immune and exposed to COVID-19 shall be excluded from school. Students who are diagnosed with — or are suspected of having — COVID-19 also cannot attend school. 

Per Coeur d’Alene School Board Policy and Procedure 3520, illness and return-to-school guidelines follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health department requirements. 

The meeting will take place at the Midtown Center Meeting Room at 1505 N. 5th St. in Coeur d’Alene. Members of the public may view a livestream on YouTube or attend in person. The public can send comments to trustees@cdaschools.org.