Nine adults test positive in Perry schools on eve of return

Perry Community School District Superintendent Clark Wicks announced Sunday that nine adults tested positive for COVID-19 as of Jan. 3.

Wicks did not indicate what buildings the infected adults work in, but he said that all students and families in contact with these adults have been notified, and 17 students will be quarantined.

“All other students can attend classes as normal,” he said. “Classes resume tomorrow, Jan. 4.”

The Perry School Board voted unanimously Nov. 9 to “approve the planning of students to attend onsite teaching and learning starting second semester,” with the goal of 100% onsite classes.

Under the resolution, which conforms to an Iowa law signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in June, the district would limit its provision of online instruction to students or families with verifiable medical conditions and to students in quarantine. All other students would be required to attend in-person classes.

“If students do not meet the criteria (in the Iowa law), the district is not required to provide them with remote learning,” Wicks told the school board in November.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected 37 students and 19 staff members since classes began Aug. 19 in the PCSD, according to communications from the PCSD. The list of cases follows.

8/24 PES 1
9/15 PHS 1
9/18 PHS 1
9/24 PMS 1
10/4 AEA 1
10/5 PHS 1, PMS 1
10/8 PHS staff 1
10/15 PMS 1
10/29 PHS 3
10/30 PHS 1
10/31 PHS 1
11/2 PHS 1
11/3 PES 1
11/4 PHS 1
11/11 PHS 1, PMS 1, PMS staff 1, PES 1
12/3 PHS 1, PHS staff 1
12/4 PHS 1
12/7 PHS staff 1
12/11 PMS 1
12/14 PHS 2, PMS 1
12/16 PHS 2, PHS staff 1
12/17 PHS 2
12/18 PHS 1, PMS 1, PMS staff 2
12/19 PES 4
12/20 PES 1
12/21 PHS 1
12/22 PMS 1, PMS staff 1, PES staff 1
1/3 Staff 9
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Total: 37 students, 19 staff members

The current population of students and staff in the Perry Community School District numbers about 1,801.