WBCSD approves reopening plan

PRIEST RIVER — West Bonner County School Board approved its reopening plan at a special meeting Wednesday. Superintendent Paul Anselmo emphasized to the public the plan is a living document and can undergo changes anytime before and during school opening on Sept. 8.

WBCSD’s plan loosely follows Idaho State Board of Education’s July 9 framework, which outlines three levels of transmission — none, mild to moderate transmission and substantial transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

ISBE defines no transmission in the community as “evidence of only isolated cases with no evidence of cases in a large communal setting,” such as healthcare facilities or schools.

Each level of transmission corresponds to an appropriate education model and color on the green, yellow and red scale.

Under category one or the green level, ISBE’s framework recommends keeping school fully open with social distance protocol and sanitization methods in place.

On Wednesday night, board members approved the three tier model with a language change under the green level. The language extends no community transmission to include minimal transmission as well.

Panhandle Health District has not yet informed the school district on the number of active community cases in Bonner County that would warrant school closure or a blended learning education model.