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Date: 10/26/2021
GRANBY – The Granby School Committee met to discuss a variety of agenda items including an update on their district-wide COVID-19 testing program and vaccination rates of students and staff on Oct. 19.
According to Superintendent Stephen Sullivan, the district just ran their second week of pool testing. All pool testing results have been negative so far. Sullivan said that, for now, they are testing one pool at each school since they have not had any support from the state.
“We are still doing it on our own. Nancy has really taken a heavylift and I’ve been supporting her and the other nurses have been supporting her as best as we can for the pool testing,” he said.
Nancy Jenks, nurse lead, has also completed her first group of testing for their test and stay program, according to Sullivan. Four different individuals were tested for seven days and all remained negative.
The test and stay program is used for in-school COVID-19 transmission. Individuals who have been a close contact of someone who tested positive are allowed to be tested for seven school days and can stay in school as long as they are negative and remain asymptomatic.
“That’s the benefit of the test and stay. That you’re getting tested every day and it allows you to stay in school as long as you’re asymptomatic,” said Sullivan.
However, he said that parents should not send their children to school if they feel unwell.
“We still urge families that if their child is not feeling well they should not send them to school. They can certainly reach out to the nursing staff to consult, but they shouldn’t be sending them to school if they’re not well,” he said.
Sullivan also gave an update on vaccination status. He said that 126 staff have reported that they have been vaccinated, nine have not been vaccinated, three have not responded and three are out on leave. This data means that about 89 percent of staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sullivan said that this puts them at a “good place to be.”
According to town-wide data, ages 12 through 19 are in the 60 percent range for vaccination.
“We’re still lagging a little bit in that range at this time,” said Sullivan.
The meeting also discussed grant money awarded to the district in the amount of $24,168. This money comes from the Rural School Aid. Money from the grant is given to schools based on student density and per capita income.
“That money can be spent essentially however we’d like to spend that money as long as it improves some operational efficiency and effectiveness,” said Adam Tarquini, director of finance.
According to Sullivan, 67 schools were eligible to receive these funds. Last year Granby did not receive money. He said that other districts were awarded $75,000 or more from this grant.
“So in some ways, great, $24,000 but in some ways it’s frustrating because even in the rural schools world we’re kind of in no man’s land,” said Sullivan.
Tarquini said they have not received the money yet, but that once they do they will discuss how to spend it. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2022.
Sullivan also used the meeting to remind families and students of the upcoming Trunk or Treat event. In past years, the event has been trick or treating. Due to the pandemic, they have pivoted and the event will take place in the parking lot at East Meadow School.
“We encourage families to come and have an opportunity to kind of get some goodies that way,” he said.
The event will take place Oct. 28 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Those interested in viewing the Granby School Committee Meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the Granby Community Media YouTube page.