Today, Salem Community School Superintendent Jon Acton announced the school will delay the start of both in-person and virtual school until August 17 due to a staff member testing positive for Covid-19.
Acton said this employee was not in contact with any students but was in contact with fellow staff members.
East and West Washington began in-person classes today (Aug. 5) and Salem had intended to go back as well but delayed the start date until August 10 so new Director of Convergence and Innovation John Skomp could help train teachers on the new online learning system.
“In accordance with state and local guidance, all employees that were in direct contact with this individual are self-quarantining for 14 days,” Acton wrote in a release this afternoon.
“In order to deep clean facilities and maintain the safest environment for all students and staff, we have made the decision to delay the start of school from Monday, August 10th, until Monday, August 17th. We will begin our school year on Monday, August 17th for both in-person and Online Lions students!”
All activities scheduled this week for middle school and elementary will be pushed back one week.
High School athletics will proceed as originally scheduled. Salem’s varsity boys are scheduled to play North Harrison at Paul A. Graves Athletic Field on Friday, August 21 at 7p.
Acton said the school will provide additional updates by Friday, August 7th.
“We thank you for your patience and understanding as we execute our safety protocols to create the safest learning environment possible for the students and staff of Salem Community Schools,” said Acton.
Washington County’s number of Covid-19 cases has dramatically increased in the last week by 37 cases.
