District Loosening COVID-19 Protocols

Citing a lower number of quarantines, Bourbon Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs announced Thursday they have loosened COVID-19 protocols at the school.

Part of that was attributable to the nine-day snow break the district had in mid-February.

“I feel we’ve had little transmission,” said Gibbs, whose district has tallied approximately 41 cases and none in the last two weeks. “We will transition back to minimal protocols.”

Gibbs said the district is reintroducing “Fun Friday” at the middle school.

At the high school, Gibbs reported that mask wearing has been inconsistent. Students were instructed to wear masks between periods.

However, Bourbon is now making it optional.

The district has created spaces for students and teachers that want to minimize contact.

Of districts that have students in Crawford County, Bourbon has reported some of the lowest cumulative COVID-19 cases since March.

Sullivan has reported 174 cases, Cuba 96 cases and Steelville 43 cases.

Vaccinations

Missouri announced last week that teachers will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 15.

Gibbs said they have no knowledge if a district-wide vaccine clinic will be made available.

During the January board meeting, Gibbs reported that a majority of staffers said they would not take the vaccine or were unsure.

Only around 40% of staffers said they would take the vaccine, which Gibbs said was one of the lowest rates in the area.

He said Thursday the state has informed the district that teachers who receive the vaccine would not have to quarantine for three months if exposed to a positive case.