ASHEBORO - During a special called meeting of the Asheboro City Board of Education, board members voted to remain operating under Plan B for grades K-5. Prior to the decision, elementary students were scheduled to return to school under Plan A on Monday, October 26.
“While we would love to be able to move into Plan A, we believe that would be short-sighted, and frankly, not in the best interest of our students, families, and staff. We know many families were looking forward to their students being back in school full time, but we cannot take this next step with increasing numbers across the community. Using safety, data, and values to guide our decision making, we are confident this is the best decision to help maintain the health and well-being of our school communities,” said Superintendent Dr. Aaron Woody.
As of last Friday, Randolph County’s percent positive of tested cases for COVID-19 was 8.2 percent, which makes two weeks in a row over the 8 percent threshold. Over 8 percent elevates schools to a “higher” risk of transmission according to the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their guidance document has helped district leadership make reopening decisions as it outlines the risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools.
“It’s important to note, with percent positive cases hovering around 8 percent, we are experiencing the same numbers that were reported in August, which caused us to pull back and start school under Plan C - all remote learning,” added Dr. Woody.
In addition to the rising percent of positive cases, Randolph County recently experienced the two highest days of positive cases since the pandemic began. According to the CDC, North Carolina ranks seventh in the nation for the rising number of positive cases statewide.
The Board will likely revisit school reopening plans at their November meeting, scheduled for Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Center, located on the campus of Asheboro High School.
To learn more about Asheboro City Schools plans for reopening schools in light of COVID-19, please log on the district’s website, www.asheboro.k12.nc.us.
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