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West Geauga leaders brief board on measles cases in the region; district has 72 unvaccinated students
Summary
Superintendent briefed the board on a regional measles outbreak in nearby Ashtabula County, the district’s current vaccination numbers and health‑department guidance to exclude unvaccinated students for 21 days after an outbreak. District staff said it can provide schoolwork via Chromebooks if exclusion is required.
District leadership told the West Geauga Local School District Board of Education the district has not recorded any measles cases but is monitoring a regional outbreak and preparing guidance for families.
“Now Ashtabula County, the last I knew had 12 active cases of measles,” the superintendent said during new‑business remarks. The superintendent told the board the district currently has 72 students who are not inoculated. He told the board that the local health department recommends excluding students who are not inoculated for 21 days after the last contagious case: “It is recommended that we have students who have not been inoculated excluded from school for 21 days.”
The superintendent said the district had consulted legal counsel and was told the district could require exclusion consistent with health‑department guidance. He also said that the district has the technical capacity to support students remotely: “We have that capacity now. I mean, all every kid has a Chromebook.” Board members discussed how to avoid academic setbacks for students who may be excluded and noted the district can deliver assignments remotely, though staff said full remote instruction on a scheduled basis would be difficult to staff.
What happened: No cases were reported in West Geauga; the board was advised to alert families and to prepare for a possible exclusion policy. Health‑department guidance included an exclusion period of 21 days after the last contagious case; the superintendent said he will send information to families and consult further with the health department regarding building‑specific exclusion questions.
Ending: Staff will prepare a parent notice and consult the health department about building‑level exclusion logistics. The district said it would rely on Chromebooks and assignment‑delivery processes already in place should exclusions become necessary.
