Sullivan Schools Faring Well With COVID-19 Numbers, Related Issues

The Sullivan School District thus far is working through the continuous COVID-19 pandemic and the Delta variant with only 1% districtwide effected as of Monday, September 20.

Sullivan School Superintendent Dr. Jana Thornsberry reported Monday that some 110 students districtwide are currently under quarantine, with 21 total active cases among more than 2,000 students.

“We feel like we are doing well and better thus far than some of our other districts, and in fact, 45 students are to return to the classroom on Tuesday, September 21, so we are thankful at this point,” said Thornsberry.

The Sullivan Independent News has been contacted by several parents who expressed their displeasure that their child had to be removed from school due to a close contact quarantine and expressed their frustrations with the school district action.

“We have to follow the guidelines set by Department of Education and health departments in Franklin, Crawford and Washington counties, with our students coming from all three,” said Thornsberry. “We don’t change the rules with this, we don’t set the rules, we just have to follow them. However, we do give parents and students the option after they reach their fifth, sixth, seventh day to take a COVID-19 test and if they are negative they can return to school early.”

As if the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough for school districts, many around the country are feeling the shortages of food deliveries to their cafeteria systems.

Thornsberry reported that she had spoke with Opaa! Food Management, a Chesterfield-based company that handles the school food programs. Opaa! reported that they were three truck deliveries short just last week.

“We had to go out and purchase some products locally and in St. Louis for items were did not receive for the food program,” said Thornsberry. “So we also adjusted the food menu where instead of three options the students have two, but we are getting food for the students.”

Thornsberry indicated that as for COVID-19 rules and mandates that school districts were expected to receive some more guidance possibly this coming week at the state level from the Missouri Department of Health and Department of Education.