The Ponca City Board of Education adopted safety protocols for the 2021-2022 school year on Monday night.
Masks will only be implemented if the county is declared a State of Emergency by the Governor or recommended by the Kay County Health Department pursuant to SB 658. However, by federal order, masks are required on all public transportation networks through Sept. 13, 2021.
If student or staff percentages of isolations or quarantines are high there could be an intermittent closure at any site by board approval ONLY. However, the superintendent, in conjunction with the Kay County Health Department, may make the determination a class needs to quarantine based on exposure.
The green and yellow levels are virtually identical. Those risks levels are 1.43 and below for green and 1.43 to 14.38 for yellow. As of Monday, Kay County is currently at a 3 risk level. Under these two levels, masks are welcomed, but not required, except on buses or school vehicles. The typical school day and school-related activities will be followed with no procedural changes necessary.
The Orange 1 risk level is between 14.39 to 24.99. The Orange 2 level runs between 25 to 49.99. If a State of Emergency or Kay County Health Department officials recommend masking due to spread, masks will be required in mask zones. Those areas include hallways, common areas and large group settings. Staggered lunch schedules and passing times may be implemented.
Under the Orange 1 risk level, visitors, use of facilities and capacity limits at public events may be restricted. Under the Orange 2 risk level, visitors, use of facilities, public events, travel, capacity limits at public events, additional safety protocols and participation in extra-curricular activities may be restricted or suspended. Extra-curricular changes require approval by the board of education.
Under the Red risk level, if a State of Emergency is declared or if KCHD officials recommend masking due to spread, masks will be required in all settings. Visitors, use of facilities, public events, travel, capacity limits at public events, additional safety protocols and participation in extra-curricular activities may be restricted or suspended. This is the risk level where distance learning could be implemented after board of education approval.
