School pushes start date back a week after positive COVID-19 case

North Iowa Community School will delay the start of the 2020-21 school year one week, after Superintendent Joe Erickson reports a member of the school community has tested positive for COVID-19.

High school classes were originally supposed to get underway this Wednesday, Aug. 26, followed by the first day of elementary and middle school classes on Friday, Aug. 28. The new return to school dates are now Wednesday, Sept. 2 for the high school and Friday, Sept. 4 for elementary and middle school.

Elementary and middle school conferences will be held Sept. 2 and 3 at previously scheduled times, and people can contact the school if they need to make adjustments.

Evening activities at the school will continue as planned this week, including volleyball games at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura on Thursday and varsity football at Northwood on Friday.

Erickson says the school is working with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health and local health departments to notify anyone who was in close contact with the positive individual. He says those contacts are taking necessary steps to limit any additional spread.

Contacts are also being tested for COVID-19, and Erickson says it will take a few days to get those test results back. Based on this next round of testing, he says the school may have to make additional changes.

Erickson notes the school will not share any details about who may be under quarantine or who is being tested, in accordance with HIPAA requirements.

The school reminds anyone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their physician.

“Our greatest priority is the safety of our students, staff and families. Please continue to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you,” said Erickson. “We look forward to starting the school year in a safe environment together.”