The Swain County Board of Education provided additional details regarding COVID19 within the school system on Tuesday, reporting a total of 58 staff members out of work due to positive COVID19 cases or quarantine due to exposure.
Swain County Schools announced that since January 5, Bright Adventures has had 5 faculty or staff who have missed days or multiple days as a result of COVID19. East Elementary School has had 15, West Elementary has had 15, Swain Middle School has had two, Swain High School has had 14, and the district office has had seven.
The Swain County Board of Education voted on Monday night to return to Plan C due to significant COVID19 spread within the community. According to Superintendent Mark Sale, his decision was largely based on learning that a member of school staff tested positive for COVID19 and Pneumonia and was having trouble finding a hospital bed to receive treatment.
“I can’t in good conscience ask our staff to continue taking that risk,” Sale said on Monday night.
Swain County Schools reported that from January 5 to January 8, a total of 63 students have been placed in quarantine due to testing positive for COVID19 or being identified as a close contact.
While Swain County Schools are operating in Plan C at least until January 25, food delivery services will be provided with routes beginning at 10 a.m. Regular bus routes will be run daily and continue until students return for in-person instruction. For information regarding food distribution call 488-3129 ext 5139.
Superintendent Mark Sale addressed the decision in a video message that can be viewed here.
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