Marietta City Schools Ramps Up COVID Contact Tracing

MARIETTA, GA — As Cobb & Douglas Public Health warn that COVID-19 transmission is considered high again in Cobb County, Marietta City Schools Board of Education members unanimously approved increased efforts to the district's contact tracing process at Tuesday's work session.

High transmission is defined as a 14-day case rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents, according to CDPH. As of Aug. 13, Cobb County has a 14-day case rate of 493 cases per 100,000 residents.

The board approved up to $30,000 for a "COVID Lead" and up to $25,000 for an assistant, with Board Chair Angela Orange absent from the meeting. The COVID Lead will "ensure data collection and record keeping for contact tracing is accurate and complete," and the assistant will "work alternating day and night shifts, ensuring our communication is seamless."

Contact tracers identify anyone who's been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, which is defined as anyone who has spent at least 15 minutes within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19.

MCS Superintendent Grant Rivera said families with students identified as close contacts will be notified within a day of that contact, even if the notification comes in past normal business hours.

“We recognize that we need to expand the contact tracing team in order to follow the protocols correctly,” Rivera said. “And we’re committed to doing such and leveraging our [Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act] funding to make that happen.”

At next Tuesday's official board meeting, board members will consider the following:

• Starting the process of expanding Marietta Middle School's and Marietta Sixth Grade Academy's advanced learning opportunities in grades 6-8 that "improve alignment to Marietta High School course offerings," according to a district presentation. The actual implementation of the changes would not occur until spring 2022, and multiple town hall meetings would be part of the process before final board approval.
• A $28,500 contract with the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre for continuation of West Side Elementary School's Drama Program partnership with the theater. WSES drama students use the theater for practices, rehearsals and performances.
• A $87,766 contract renewal with Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for the district's Measures of Academic Progress assessment.