Benjamin Logan Schools Superintendent John Scheu reported at the board of education’s meeting this week regarding various safety measures and indoor air quality improvements made over the summer in anticipation of the upcoming school year, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 7.
He said 32 new HEPA filters have recently been purchased and the filters will be placed in classrooms of any identified COVID-19 cases.
“These filters have been proven to remove 99.97 percent of COVID-19 viruses in air, flu viruses, mold, etc.,” the superintendent said.
Face masks are optional, but strongly recommended for students in a class where a positive COVID-19 case has been confirmed, Scheu related. A notice will be sent home with students and/or an e-mail will be sent per FinalForms.
Face masks also are recommended for students riding school busses.
The Logan County Health District may require masks at some point if rates of infections reach a certain level locally.
Handwashing and disinfectant will again be emphasized and practiced in the district.
Students should stay at home if they are ill, and be fever free for 24 hours without medication like Tylenol or Motrin before returning.
Social distancing of 3 feet will be practiced when practical.
Nurse Amanda Siefring will be in contact with families if quarantines are needed and for duration of such. Isolation is still recommended for 10 days after diagnosis unless symptoms are continuing, in which case it could be longer.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the resignation of Allison Reule, intervention specialist, effective Aug. 1;
• extended a one-year contract to Marleen Godsey, intervention specialist;
• extended one-year classified contracts to: Ashley Chrencik, educational assistant; Carie McCullough, bus driver; and Randi Buffkin, food service;
• extended supplemental contracts to Sage Caughenbaugh, junior varsity cheerleading; Tiann Harner, fall, winter and spring activities director; Myles Bowers, middle school jazz band director; Megan Hastings, high school student council adviser; Susan Headings, Nicole Fuller and Matt Smith, testing coordinator; and Tyler Shafer, high school competition cheer;
• approved a contract with Bellefontaine Physical Therapy for occupational therapy services;
• approve contracts with Midwest Regional Educational Service Center; and
• accepted the following donations/volunteer services: $200 from the Belle Center United Presbyterian Church to the elementary for school supplies; large storage container, valued at $500 for the purpose of storage for the marching band donated by Paul and Michelle Gantt; and school supplies from the United Way of Logan County.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20.
Members also changed the November meeting date to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15.