BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont ISD confirms two positive cases of COVID-19 within the district -- one at Lucas Pre-K Center and one at the BISD administration building.
BISD spokesperson Hannah LeTulle tells 12News that the district is working in conjunction with the health department.
12News saw restoration cleaning crews at the BISD administration building Thursday morning. Crews are giving the building a deep cleaning.
While students are not at BISD campuses, some staff remain.
LeTulle says those reporting to campuses are those that assist in ensuring that instructional learning continues.
"We are re-evaluating staff assignments and the needs of the district," LeTulle told 12News. "This is a very fluid situation and we are making adjustments as needed."
With two positive cases on campuses, some parents are concerned about how the district is taking precautions to provide meals and instructional learning materials.
LeTulle says that distribution staff have been required to wear PPE at all times and have minimal contact with parents, students and other staff members.
"BISD staff members have been expected to work in order to meet these expectations, however, many have transitioned to remote or modified assignments to ensure that we are following all requirements and guidance from health officials," LeTulle said. "All staff reporting to campuses are required to practice social distancing."
FULL RELEASE FROM BISD
Beaumont ISD is committed to the health and safety of all staff and students. In light of the outbreak of COVID-19, school districts across the state have been tasked with ensuring that students continue instruction and that meals are provided. In order to accommodate this, our district, along with most others in the state have instituted meal service and instructional continuity plans for students in the community.
While we are fulfilling this requirement, we want to ensure our staff and families that we are taking all possible measures to keep them healthy and maintain their well-being. BISD staff members have been expected to work in order to meet these expectations, however, many have transitioned to remote or modified assignments to ensure that we are following all requirements and guidance from health officials. All staff reporting to campuses are required to practice social distancing.
Distribution staff have been required to wear PPE at all times and have minimal contact with parents, students and other staff members. Social distancing practices are monitored at each site. Traffic in buildings has been limited and the custodial staff has implemented routine disinfection processes at all sites.
Many team members who are able to perform essential functions from a home environment have been released to do so in the interest of continuity as well as safety. Those that are reporting to campuses are those that assist in ensuring that instructional continuity as required by the state is occurring for students. We are re-evaluating staff assignments and the needs of the district. This is a very fluid situation and we are making adjustments as needed.
Employees who are unable to fulfill their assignments have options available. All employees have their standard available paid leave time, if needed. In addition to the standard leave time, the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCVR) provides other avenues to request additional paid leave if needed and if the requirements of this law are met. The act also provides job security during this time, for those who no longer have paid leave time available and are still unable to work.
We can confirm two positive cases of COVID-19 at Beaumont ISD: one at Lucas Pre-K Center and one at the administration building. We are working in conjunction with the health department in following all proper protocols at this time.