Middleton School District Superintendent Kristin Beck told the board of trustees Wednesday that a district employee has died from COVID-19.
Beck reported that other employees have tested positive and have not yet recovered, while students and staff at Middleton High School have been exposed to a positive test and are in quarantine; an elementary teacher is in quarantine and “is not doing well,” Beck said.
The Idaho Press reports she did not give specifics on the death or positive cases, citing privacy of staff and students.
“It’s a very sad situation for the Middleton School District and my heart breaks for the employee’s family, friends and co-workers,” Beck said. “The dangers of COVID hit close to home, and this death underscores the need to take the necessary steps to keep our staff and students safe.”
The board met Wednesday afternoon to discuss the potential move for the district from a hybrid model into a modified hybrid that would allow kindergarten through fifth grade students to start moving into full time, in-person learning.
Board Chairman Kirk Adams expressed concern for teachers and staff, as the district pushes towards a complete reopen.
”We know the risk for our students is quite small, but the risk for our staff is greater,” he said. “Twenty-five percent of our staff has compromised health. We’ve already lost a staff member.”
Trustee Derek Moore suggested moving kindergarten through fifth graders to a morning and afternoon schedule, so that students could go to school every day, but in smaller groups.
”We can’t run and hide,” Moore said. “I know we have cases, but we cannot decide not to move forward. There are going to be hiccups in the road.”
The district will make a final decision on the move to a modified hybrid model of learning at its next meeting on Oct. 12.
Written by the Idaho Press
