Although our numbers of students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 remain very low, we have experienced larger numbers of students and staff that have been quarantined due to being exposed to a COVID-positive person within 6' for 15 or more cumulative minutes. In an effort to curtail teacher shortages and better ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, we want to take the time to make improvements to our practices with your help. Please be a part of our decision-making process by answering the following survey questions honestly and openly. Your responses will remain anonymous, but the collective results will help us to make adjustments that will improve the overall health and safety of our schools and stakeholders.
We have no plans to close schools at this time; to do so would be contrary to guidance that we have received from our medical experts. Detailed analysis of viral trend data has indicated that schools are one of the safest places for students and staff to be. The trend has been for increases in numbers to occur outside of school.
To clarify, the GCSD is the public education agency for Gilchrist County, not the county's health organization. We operate within the parameters of the guidance we have received and continue to receive from the Health Department and CDC. We are unable to make changes to
quarantine policies, for example. However, we do have a structured environment in which we can control certain practices related to health. Our priority is health and safety, and then education. We will continue to maintain these priorities with your help.