Elmhurst D-205 May Test Students For Coronavirus

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst School District 205 is considering testing students for the coronavirus next year, but it comes along with a big price tag.

At a meeting Tuesday, school board members agreed to have the administration come back with a detailed proposal next month.

Under an initial proposal, all athletes, students in sixth through 12th grades and staff would be tested weekly in January and February, totaling 5,000 people. It would cost $11 a test, for a total of $440,000 if every eligible person submits to the voluntary tests.

The district said "no real research" exists on the effectiveness of such a program, but said it could allow for more in-person learning next year.

"I view testing as perhaps a strategic tool and perhaps as the biggest waste of money the school district has every spent," school board member Jim Collins said. "It's all in how it's designed."

A few months ago, he said, the district indicated it lacked the resources to have students take temperatures as they entered schools, so the district came up with self-certification plans.

"Now all of a sudden, we have the resources for an enormous testing program that if used effectively can cut down on transmission rates and if used ineffectively, is just burning cash," he said. "We cannot design the system ourselves. We need an expert to do so."

Board member Chris Kocinski said the testing would give people more confidence to return to school. And member Karen Stuefen said she supported such testing if it helps students transition to in-person learning. "Otherwise," she said, "it's a waste of money."

Superintendent Dave Moyer said the district, with its finite resources, is targeting students sixth grade and higher because younger children are less likely to transmit the coronavirus.

If approved, the testing would be with SafeGuard Screening. Its program is in use in La Grange school districts 102 and 105 and New Trier High School District 203, according to District 205 documents.