The Vermillion School Board has approved significant updates to its COVID-19 return-to-school plan for the upcoming school year, reflecting a shift towards treating COVID-19 like any other illness. During the meeting on June 13, school officials reported an average of two COVID-19 cases per week over the past month, with a total of about 70 cases recorded in the district.

Key changes to the plan include the discontinuation of in-school COVID-19 testing, as the district no longer has access to valid tests. Instead, testing will be recommended at local clinics. The board also discussed the importance of vaccinations, aligning with CDC recommendations, but emphasized that families should make their own decisions regarding vaccinations for school-age children.

Another notable change is the decision to limit communication about active COVID-19 cases to families. Previously, the district reported cases to families, but moving forward, the board will treat COVID-19 similarly to other illnesses, reducing the frequency of updates unless there is a significant spike in cases.

The board also voted to eliminate the 10% threshold for mask-wearing in schools, as the district did not reach this level last year. The updated plan will be available on the school website, and staff training will be conducted ahead of the new school year.

In conclusion, the Vermillion School Board's updated COVID-19 plan marks a significant transition towards normalcy, prioritizing parental discretion and minimizing disruptions related to the virus as students prepare to return to school in the fall.