By Sarah Nigbor

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth School Board approved the Safe Return to School Plan at the Aug. 8 board meeting, which must be done every six months in order for schools to receive federal COVID relief funds. The plan outlines the district’s COVID-19 protocols, which this year has some major changes.

“The plan was adjusted quite a bit from last year and the only real stipulation in the plan now regarding COVID-19 is that a person must not attend school if they have test- ed positive for COVID-19 for five days from symptom onset,” said Superintendent Barry Cain. “They must also be fever and symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.”

Household members who have not tested positive for COVID-19 and are not symptomatic may attend school. This is a change from last year. Masking is also not required in any setting, including buses, but people are welcome to do so. Last year, the state required anyone riding school buses to be masked.

The district will not be close contact tracing unless there is clear evidence of a number of cases in a specific area. “We will then simply notify families of a possible exposure for informational purposes only,” Cain said.

Handwashing will continue to be a part of the daily routine in all buildings, with extra time built in for that very purpose. Sanitization stations are scattered throughout the buildings. Staff will teach and remind students about respiratory etiquette and signs will be posted as well.

Personnel report

The Ellsworth School Board approved the following personnel changes Aug. 8:

Hires: Mitchell Bugni, Ellsworth Middle School eighth grade math teacher; Aaron Campbell, Ellsworth Elementary School custodian; Michelle Nyseth, Ellsworth Middle School special education teacher; Amy Olson, Ellsworth Elementary School second grade teacher; Thomas Schutz, bus driver; Katie Seif, Ellsworth High School science teacher intern; Angela Smith, district-wide substitute teacher Transfer: Erin Tomlinson, transfer from Ellsworth Elementary School Title 1 teacher to Ellsworth Middle School English teacher Resignations: Ann Huppert, Athletic Director; Charysse Minder, Ellsworth High School teaching assistant; Heather Shock, Ellsworth Elementary School kindergarten teacher Extra/co-curricular: Kimberley Catron, middle school Forensics; Nick Foley, mentor; Abbie Green, mentor; Lisa Groh, mentor (for two stau members); Shannon McClus key, high school JV volleyball coach; Brooke Minder, high school C team volleyball coach; James Neu, mentor; Derek Staley, assistant C team (ninth grade) football coach; Emily Stiemann, eighth grade head girls volleyball coach