Celina K-8 School Employee Tested COVID Positive

The Celina K-8 School has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after a school employee tested positive for COVID-19 late last month.

Director Of Schools Matt Eldridge said all activities were immediately shut down at the school once the test was received. Schools had already been closed since March 16. The incubation period occurred over the system’s spring break.

School Board Chair Benji Bailey shared the report of Principal Mike Gee during Thursday night’s School Board Meeting via conference call.

“The school has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, but custodial staff, parents and students have not been able to be in the building,” Bailey reported from Gee’s report.

Natalie Boone and the team at Clay County Emergency Management stepped in to help prepare grab and go meals for students affected by the school’s closure. Bailey said Celina K-8 will resume feeding students Monday.

“Thanks again to district staff, cooking staff, instructional assistants, bus drivers, teachers, other staff, and so on, Methodist Church volunteers for preparing meals and helping get them into student hands,” Bailey reported from Gee’s report.

Eldridge said he consulted with physicians, health department officials and followed all CDC protocols to protect staff and employees.

Meals will be provided through the Grab and Go program Monday, Wednesday and Friday at each Clay County School as well as at eight locations throughout the county.