School districts finalizing plans to handle COVID-19 cases in school buildings

SYRACUSE — The New York State Education Department says health & safety is paramount for a successful school year. It’s why school districts are also required to come up with plans for when a student or staff member becomes sick with symptoms of COVID-19 in school.

Thomas Colabufo is the superintendent of the Central Square Central School District in Oswego County. While parts of his district’s reopening plan still need to be finalized, Colabufo said they will likely follow state department of health’s recommendation as listed in the NYSED reopening guidance:

Closing off areas used by a sick person and not using these areas until after cleaning and disinfection has occurred; -Opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. -Waiting at least 24 hours before cleaning and disinfection. If waiting 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible; -Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have. -COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas.

"I believe it’s just the building," said Colabufo, discussing what would temporarily close. "It wouldn’t be the whole district unless there's staff members coming back and forth to that school.” So who will make the call to close a building or section of a school? NYSED points to Education Law 906 which reads in part,

“The director of school health services, or other health professionals acting upon direction or referral of such director, may make such evaluations of teachers and any other school employees, school buildings and premises as, in their discretion, they may deem necessary to protect the health of the students and staff."

While not final, Colabufo said Central Square and other districts in the county will likely look to the Oswego County Health Department to make those decision. "If a student comes in here at central square and there’s a case, a positive case, it’s going to be the same situation if it were Mexico, Phoenix or APW when we call the Oswego County Health Department, said Colabufo. "We’re all going to get the same response.”

An Onondaga County spokesperson says health director Dr. Indu Gupta and the department are in consultation with schools on best practices. Formal guidance is still being developed on their role in the decision making.

Regardless of how districts plan to handle possible closures, New York will require suspected students to be isolated and supervised in a room or area separate from others as they await pickup from a parent.

Districts must submit full reopening plans to the state and make them public by Friday July 31.