Mar 20
3
KPBSD and COVID-19
Soldotna, March 3, 2020—In response to the growing concern about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and KPBSD schools, a new dedicated webpage is live at www.KPBSD.org specific to KPBSD pandemic preparedness and response.
Superintendent John O’Brien explains, “As the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, I assure you that I have been working with our pandemic response team to develop our Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP). Our COOP includes response, logistics, and the potential for education delivery in the event that one or more of our schools or communities on the Kenai Peninsula is impacted by COVID-19. The safety and well-being of our students, staff, families, and community is always central to our mission.
Effective immediately (March 3, 2020) all district or school sponsored travel outside of Alaska is cancelled until further notice. In state travel is not affected at this time.
I truly believe that we cannot increase the risk of COVID-19 exposure for our students or staff through out of state district or school travel. I do not make this decision to cancel travel lightly. The risk that staff or groups of students would be exposed to by contracting COVID-19, or becoming quarantined for an extended period of time out of state due to school or work related travel is too great, with so many unknowns at this time.
Spring break begins for most of our schools next week, and it is my hope that this is a restorative time for everyone. When school resumes, if students or staff experience flu-like symptoms or are sick, it will be important to stay home to minimize the spread of illness.
Our team is working closely with local and state agencies, and making contingency plans for emergency school closures if the situation in our state or on the Kenai Peninsula changes with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in coming days or weeks.
This Covid-19 and KPBSD webpage will be updated when we have new information and resources to share. Please contact your school or my office with questions.”
–Superintendent John O’Brien, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Current content on the “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and KPBSD” webpage includes Communications from Superintendent O’Brien; Travel Restrictions; a Parent and Guardian section; KPBSD 2020 Pandemic-Epidemic COOP; and valuable Helpful Links from the State of Alaska Health and Social Services and CDC.
View “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and KPBSD” webpage
