East Side School start delayed two days

WORLAND - The Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees met for an emergency board meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 12, to discuss potentially delaying the start of the school year at East Side Elementary.

The reason for wanting to delay the start was because of two lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in East Side staff, which according to Superintendent David Nicholas caused other staff to be quarantined as well.

Nicholas said they were seeking the delay from the board because they want the actual teachers in the classroom on the first day of school. He said it is important for them to be present at the kindergarten and first grade levels.

The board voted unanimously to delay the start of East Side until Thursday, Aug. 20, with make up days scheduled for Nov. 9, 2020, and Jan. 22, 2021. These days were chosen for make up because they are professional development days for teachers in the district, all other schools will be out but East Side will be in session.

Nicholas told the board he is seeking an exemption for these two days through the state, but is unsure when he would hear an answer.

All other schools will begin as planned on Aug. 18, and the district plans to have a town hall meeting with no date officially announced at this time.