R-6 Board approves updated COVID-19 operational plan

SIKESTON — The Sikeston R-6 Board of Education approved the district’s updated COVID-19 operational plan during its special session Tuesday at the administrative office.

Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson told the board an update of “The Sikeston R-6 COVID-19 Operational Plan and Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan” was required for the district to receive Early and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds.

“We’re asking you approve the plan with the understanding that whenever there is a change or a concern that we can come together and change it prior to the start of school,” Robinson told the Board. “The health department is thinking there might be some practice/procedure changes from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) once the Delta variant has gone through its course. They’re hoping that comes before school starts.”

When a board member asked if those changes would be to relax guidelines, Robinson said yes.

The superintendent said the plan proposed on Tuesday was in its current state from the committee comprised of district administrators, department heads in addition to Scott County Health Department Administrator Barry Cook and Dr. Kevin Blanton with Ferguson Medical Group/Saint Francis Medical Center.

Board member Matt Tanner sought clarification about the district promoting COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Robinson said Missouri Delta Medical Center has been offering vaccination clinics for those ages 12 years and older, and he planned to talk to Eric Slaughter, who is the infection prevention/safety and emergency preparedness coordinator for MDMC, to get more information.

Robinson said while the district will not enforce vaccinations, it will inform parents of clinics or that the vaccine is available should they choose it.

“Ok. That’s fine. If a parent is OK wants it and that’s available, and they don’t have to quarantine,” Tanner said. “I just don’t think we need to enforce it.”

Changes to the plan for the 2021-2022 school year include face masks and other personal protection equipment being optional for students and staff, including on school buses. Employees will not be required to complete a temperature screening when they arrive at their building each day.

Also, the district will provide breakfast to all students in the classroom. Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria based on specific school building procedures.

The isolation period of 14 days was amended to 10 days in most references in the plan.

Another change includes staff now being able to travel to conferences and workshops. However, all professional development trips must be approved by the PD coordinator and superintendent.

If there is an increase in positive cases throughout the school district and community, the recommendation and guidelines may change, according to the plan.

In the event school would have to close down, the district will use Google Classroom for grades 3-12 and Class Dojo for PK-2. The district will distribute wireless devices, such as hotspots, to as many students as possible and will supplement with paper packets as needed.

The updated plan is available for viewing on the district’s website: www.sikestonr6.org.

Also on Tuesday, the Board ratified the building name change from Fifth and Sixth Grade Center to Middle School; and approved the following handbooks for the 2021-2022 school year: student handbooks, professional staff handbook, support staff handbook and substitute teacher handbook.