Marshall Public Schools is continuing its partnership with the City of Marshall and the Saline County Health Department in the battle against COVID.

According to a press release from Superintendent Dr. Carol Maher, “We have updated the COVID Dashboard after a week in a holding pattern, as requested by Tara Brewer, SCHD (Administrator), and myself. This weeklong break in reporting was to measure the affect the holidays had on community spread of the virus.”

The MPS COVID Dashboard is updated each Thursday. This week, the dashboard numbers present a challenge as there is an increase in one area and a decrease in another. The 14-day average of new cases is currently 14.5, whereas last week the average was 12.9. The seven-day average is 12.9 this week compared to 16.1 last week.

The results of the COVID Community Survey were 61 percent in favor of in-seat learning and 39 percent disapproving.

Dr. Maher says, “This survey will be used as a tool, not a decision-maker, for the way in which recommendations are made to the Board of Education. The survey results will be considered, along with the weekly averages, and the Returning to Learning Committee members’ good judgment about student and staff safety, and the social/emotional toll the virus is taking on students, families, school personnel and the community.”

Dr. Maher adds, “If a transition to distance learning is recommended and approved, it will be announced on a Friday morning, with the change in the delivery of instruction occurring the following Monday morning.”