D-205 Delays Decision On Coronavirus Testing

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst school board is delaying a decision on coronavirus testing until next month.

At Tuesday's board meeting, members decided to allow more time for the school district to get information on what percentage of students plans to participate in the testing.

If the board goes through with the voluntary testing, it could cost more than $400,000 for two months. With that cost, all athletes, students in sixth through 12th grades and staff would be tested weekly, totaling 5,000 people.

A few other districts, including La Grange School District 102, are already undergoing such testing.

"It would require a relatively significant amount of manpower to pull it off, which we could do," Superintendent Dave Moyer told the board.

But he advised delaying a decision until the district conducts a follow-up survey with parents. This way, he said, the district could get a better handle on the costs.

With more participation, the testing would be more effective in preventing outbreaks and ensuring the district sticks to its plan of in-person and remote learning, Moyer said.

Board member Jim Collins said students who test negative should be permitted to attend school in person for the next five days. No other members responded to that idea.