Multiple positive COVID-19 cases force Bronaugh R-7 in-person school closure

Multiple individuals within the Bronaugh R-7 school district have tested posted for the novel coronavirus, forcing the district to shutter in-person classes for the remainder of the week. The school will instead pivot to distance learning.

The district was first made aware Aug. 27 that one of its high school staff members had tested positive for COVID. An Aug. 29 posting on the district's FB page then stated that they were made aware the "previous evening" that a second teacher, as well as a student, had tested positive for COVID-19 — raising the total to three.

"At this time the appropriate county health departments are in the process of conducting contact tracing," the posting read. "Due to a temporary staffing issue, we feel it is best for students to not report to school on Monday (Aug. 31)."

Bronaugh, a small Class 1 school, planned to re-open back to its traditional classroom setting on Tuesday, but that plan never came to fruition. Why the swift change of plans remains unclear. The Daily Mail reached out to the district Tuesday, but as of press time, had not heard back. KOAM News reported Tuesday that the district was up to six confirmed COVID-positive cases. That tally, however, has not yet been mentioned the R-7 FB page, and has not been independently verified by the Daily Mail.

"We have made the decision to pivot to distance learning for Tuesday through Friday of this week. There will be no practices or activities this week," read a Monday afternoon posting on the R-7 FB page. "Teachers will be working to communicate out their assignments and lessons for the week. If textbooks or other items need to be picked up from the school, please call to make those arrangements.” The statement also noted that the Vo-Tech bus will “continue to run each day.”

The fallout was also felt outside of the classroom, as the Bronaugh volleyball team had its season-opening matches postponed, and also pulled out of Saturday’s Jasper VB jamboree. The R-7 district stated via FB that it will continue forward with all of its previously implemented enhanced sanitation protocols.

“As always, we urge you to speak to your child about measures to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19, such as hand-washing, not touching (your) face, and social distancing,” read an Aug. 27 posting on its FB page. “Please call your health care provider for questions specifically related to your child’s health. We appreciate your continued support and patience, as we navigate this incredibly challenging time. We will get through this together.”

In response to a question from an R-7 student inquiring about paper homework packets, a school official replied on the FB page that the district “intents to reopen Tuesday (Sept. 8).”

Editor's note: See Friday's edition for a follow-up story, including comments from R-7 Superintendent Jordan Dickey.