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During the “Public Comment” portion  of the CIU 20 School Board Meeting last night, I noted that some school districts employ a “Covid-19 Dashboard,” while others do not.

The CIU 20 School Board is made up of one school board member from each of the 13 school districts that comprises the consortium of districts that oversees CIU 20.

CIU 20 provides education, transportation, and support services to special needs children in the counties of Northampton, Monroe, and Wayne.

I pointed out that CIU 20 and the Bethlehem Area School District provide a Covid-19 Dashboard. The Easton Area School District board member noted they also have a Covid-19 Dashboard.

A Covid-19 Dashboard allows co-workers and the public to get solid information on positive Covid-19 cases of individuals who are enrolled, or employed by the school district. Though they are not identified, a running tally of confirmed positive cases provides the public with information on how individual school districts are faring during this pandemic.

The importance of of a dashboard comes into play when a student or staff member is sent home, or told to stay home until a school nurse or doctor follows up. Sometimes symptoms of Covid-19 is just a cold.

However, the rumors of positive Covid-19 cases is almost immediate and spreads quickly through the ranks of co-workers and the public, though often unfounded.

School districts do mail letters to parents of students within their district to report positive cases, but not to employees. News reports only reach the general public after a letter is received, if no dashboard is used.

From the response of the CIU 20 Board members, it appears many of the school districts without a Covid-19 Dashboard may add one to their website.