The Ignacio School Board voted Tuesday to close schools, starting Thursday, until at least April 6 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Late Wednesday, however, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered all schools in the state closed from March 23 through April 17.
Board members considered public concerns and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines about large gatherings, and the health and safety of students and the community as a whole.
The town mayor, Southern Ute Indian Tribe council members, Southern Ute Education Department, school district directors, community members and board members weighed in on the discussion.
Three board members – Yvonne Chapman, Lisa Ruybal and Doug Little – voted for the closure. Allen McCaw was the only vote against closure. Board president Kara Pearson was absent.
“The CDC does not recommend proactively closing the schools,” McCaw said, citing research suggesting that short-term school closures is not as effective at slowing the spread of COVID-19 as long-term closures of eight weeks or more.
Polis’ order also directs the Commissioner of Education to issue guidance to support school systems in “developing and implementing plans to assist families and students in accessing alternative learning, providing free and reduced lunch and breakfast, and offering waivers for instructional time as appropriate.”
A meal distribution program, part of the district emergency plan, was started on Thursday. The district will provide free, grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for students, 19 and younger, until schools reopen. The district will not, however, provide meals during spring break, which is next week.
Students can pick up both meals at the same time at the high school, from 11 a.m. to noon, by the library entrance. They can also pick up meals at remote locations, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Those include the Allison Community Presbyterian Church on County Road 329, the Oxford Grange on Highway 172, and the Los Pinos Fire Protection District Fire Station #3 on County Road 318.
Families should fill out an online meal order form, linked on the district website, to take part in the program. They can also call (970) 563-0653 to submit a meal order request by voicemail.
smullane@durangoherald.com
