Superintendent Lori Price reported to the Sweet Springs R-7 School Board that she has created a COVID-19 District Dashboard with current district COVID-19 information during the school board meeting on Thursday, November 12.

According to unofficial minutes from the meeting, Price said the information will be updated every Monday and posted on the district’s Facebook page. As of Monday, November 9, Price posted the district had three active cases for 0.6 percent of staff and students; and total confirmed cases for the 2020-21 school year at eight- including one in the elementary building and seven in the junior high/high school building. The total student enrollment is 414 in the district, with 68 staff members- equaling 482 for the district’s total population.

Price also relayed the announcement made by Governor Mike Parson in regards to the change to the Missouri School Reopening and Operating Guidance Plan. The plan loosens the quarantine rules for students and staff if the school has and enforces a mask mandate.

If a school district mandates that everyone wear a mask, and if both the person who tests positive for the virus and their close contacts are wearing masks appropriately during the contact, the close contacts are not required to quarantine. Close contacts must wear masks at all times, self-monitor for symptoms and quarantine immediately if they develop signs of illness. The person who tests positive is still required to isolate at home.

In other news, the board approved the annual audit report for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Overall, it was a very successful audit.