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HANOVER TWP. — Hanover Area told two students who had returned from a trip to Puerto Rico they could not come back to school for 14 days, Superintendent Nathan Barrett confirmed after Tuesday’s school board meeting. The district also posted a notice on its website that the same precautions will be taken for any students returning from out of the country.
The policy is the same as one announced by Hazleton Area School District Monday. The 14-day isolation is recommended by experts to make sure returning students did not come back with a COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection. Both districts also require a doctor’s notice clearing the students before they can return to class.
Asked about district actions during the meeting, Barrett strongly urged parents and families to ignore rumors on social media and always check the district website for accurate district news as the issue unfolds. “It’s kept up to date.”
The precaution of isolating students returning from overseas does not mean they have confirmed cases of COVID-19, Barrett said. It is being done to lower the chances an infection could strike any schools.
While no changes have been made to planned field trips for students and other group activities, Barrett said those are constantly under review as the situation evolves.
In other action, the board voted to cancel the current contract with the Luzerne Intermediate Unit regarding the former Lyndwood Elementary School and to negotiate a new contract. The district closed the school in 2011 but reopened it in tandem with the LIU, which provides area schools with a variety of services including special education. LIU rented some space and Head Start used some for additional classes
Barrett said the contract is being renegotiated so that Hanover can move some students out of Memorial School, which has seen enrollment growing and needs more space.
The school board also voted to hire Amy DeMarzo as assistant school nurse for this school year at $26 per hour without benefits.
Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish