Skagit County Public Health has seen a steady rise in COVID-19 case numbers since early September. While we experienced this increase we remained in the Moderate risk category for disease activity (25-75 cases per 100,000 population averaged over 14 days). This past week Skagit County has experienced a very significant surge in new cases as well as new outbreaks. Over the next few days we will move well into the High-risk category (>75 cases). This is impacting our community and increases the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for people as they go to work, school, or other locations. Expanding in person learning to bring additional students on campus during High disease activity level is currently not recommended by the Washington State Department of Health. Districts are encouraged to focus any in person learning provided on the youngest learners (K-3) and students that are highest need, following all Washington State Department of Health safety requirements.
This morning the Skagit County Public Health Department informed our district of the rapidly increasing Covid-19 infections within Skagit County. While the East County area continues to show lower infection rates, our community members are still active in their daily lives outside of Concrete. This pandemic continues to impact the students and community, and we are carefully weighing the educational needs along with the safety of students, staff, and the community we represent.
Following the most current Health Department guidance and current infection rates, we are postponing our hybrid model progression. We will remain in the current format with no changes to K-1 students and the services currently provided for special populations of students needing additional support. Students may still contact individual teachers to receive additional support for their learning needs.
While we would love to have every student back in the building receiving in-person instruction, the current climate just simply doesn’t support that decision. As the superintendent, I fully understand the impact of remote learning on our students and families, but I feel that the safety and welfare of everyone must be the priority.
This decision is made with the best and most recent information from Skagit County Health Department officials. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Respectfully,
Wayne Barrett, Superintendent
Concrete School District