Modified Quarantine Approved For Central Bucks Schools

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks School Board voted 5-4 to add modified quarantine to the district's health and safety plan at its Tuesday meeting.

Under the policy, students and staff who have been exposed to a positive student or classroom but are asymptomatic can continue physically attending school during their quarantine period while remaining in quarantine outside of the regular school day. If the student develops COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for the virus, however, they will be required to learn from home for the remainder of their 10 or 7 days from exposure.

School board members Sharon Collopy, John Gamble, Dana Hunter, Daniel Ring and Leigh Vlasblom voted in favor of the changes to the health and safety plan, while Jodi Schwartz, Lorraine Sciuto-Ballasy, Karen Smith, and Tracy Suits voted against them.

Bucks County Health Director David Damsker, who has said there is scarce evidence of in-school transmission of COVID-19, had pushed for schools to implement modified quarantine in their return-to-school plans as early as August.

"We along with Dr. Damsker believe we are keeping students healthier by keeping our schools open and in person five days a week, especially for our secondary students," said Dr. Cheryl Leatherbarrow, Director of Student Services at Central Bucks School District, during Tuesday's meeting.

The modified quarantine policy will go into effect at all Central Bucks Schools on Monday.

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