Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

Last month, a new set of Outbreak Response Protocols were released by Gov. Steve Bullock as a response to suspected or positive COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools in Montana. The protocols outline practices that provide more detailed guidance for schools that allow them to promptly and safely respond to possible confirmed cases.

The need for more guidance from the state came after education advocates requested help as they entered a new, but uncertain school year. Jonathan Martin, Noxon School Superintendent, represents one of the Montana schools that needed more guidance from the state in order to ensure the safety of both students and faculty members.

“We did receive the new Outbreak Response Protocols from the Governor’s Office, and had already implemented a lot of what was recommended,” Martin said. “There wasn’t anything new we hadn’t already implemented, but it was more reader friendly than what the CDC has provided.” Martin says the school year has stated off great, but it looking a little different than the previous years with the new implementations.

“We hired a school nurse, which we didn’t have last year, and we have partnered with the hospital in Libby to provide any extra services we may need,” said Martin. “We are also working very closely with the public health department. The bottom line is, if we have a suspected case, we call public health, they are our first line of response.”

Other changes that have been implemented for the new school year include temperature and health screenings, a larger separation of students in class, as well as limits during recess, where students are only out with their own class. “Extra custodial has been hired just for sanitizing,” Martin said. “They are sanitizing the playground between each class, and buses are sanitized after each use.” Martin continued, “they are using a fogging machine that fogs and then disinfects as it sits.” A more detailed look at the school’s safety protocols are laid out in the, Noxon Public Schools: School Reopening Health and Safety Plan, which can be found on the Noxon Public Schools website.

“I’ve been working closely with organizations in Helena, the Montana School Board, and I’ve also been in communication with the Governor’s office and have talked with the Advisor of Education on how to proceed with the school year,” Martin said. Procedures contained in Noxon’s Health and Safety Plan states the procedures in the document, which may differ from past procedures, will remain in effect during the duration of the board declared emergency, or will be modified by board approval.