The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees will hold all upcoming board meetings and work sessions virtually until the spread of COVID-19 in the area subsides.
The board has made the decision based on a recent surge in Delta variant cases in Blaine County and throughout Idaho. So far this school year, the district has experienced 30 cases, while the county overall has seen large numbers of breakthrough cases affecting those who are vaccinated.
The South Central Public Health District has placed Blaine County in its “Critical Risk” category for the past several weeks. The BCSD board plans to continue meeting virtually until this level is downgraded to “Moderate.”
“In my view, putting all trustees and key district administrative staff in a closed room with various members of the public present would not be the responsible thing to do, given the current status of COVID-19 in our area,” said Keith Roark, board chair. “Based on the COVID-19 numbers we are seeing in our district and Blaine County overall, we believe it is in the best interest of our board, district staff and our community to return to virtual meetings for the time being.”
Once public meetings return, the board will continue to require all attendees—including trustees and district staff—to wear masks at all times while indoors. Mr. Roark will present a resolution related to masks at meetings during the board’s Oct. 14 meeting.
