SDMA COVID-19 Update Survey Results

SDMA COVID-19 Update - Survey Results
Posted on 08/04/2021

Dear SDMA Families and Staff,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the recent survey conducted by the school district.  When the survey closed this morning, a total of 3,479 survey submissions had been received from students, parents, and SDMA faculty and staff. The overall breakdown of masking preferences included:

  • Optional Masking 4K-12: 2,402 (69.3%)
  • Universal Masking 4K-12: 651 (18.8%)
  • Universal Masking 4K-6: 290 (8.4%)
  • Graduated Masking After a Positive Case 4K-12: 83 (2.4%)
  • Graduated Masking After a Positive Case 4K-6: 40 (1.2%)  

Families were encouraged to complete one survey for each child in their home, and there was no limit on the number of times an individual could submit a survey response.  While the results represent the overall preference of the responses received as a whole, actual community perceptions may vary. Stakeholder input is valued in the SDMA, but school board members will need to decide what is best for our schools based on many factors. The vote on a mask policy for the start of the 2021-2022 school year is scheduled for Monday, August 9.

Similar to what is being observed across the state and country, COVID-19 activity in Dunn County has been on the rise in recent weeks. There were no cases of COVID-19 in SDMA summer school programming during the month of June, but there have been 6 confirmed cases since July 20 (3 students and 3 staff members). Contact tracing was completed by the SDMA nurse and all close contacts were notified. Thankfully, several of the close contacts were fully vaccinated, so the number of exclusions was more manageable.

Approximately 70% of the SDMA faculty and staff is fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and based on a report from the end of July, approximately 40% of the eligible student body has been vaccinated. The breakdown by class includes:

  • 12th Grade: 50%
  • 11th Grade: 42%
  • 10th Grade: 42%
  • 9th Grade: 40%
  • 8th Grade: 30%
  • 7th Grade: 33%

Lastly, please be reminded that the district has extended the deadline for families wishing to enroll children into the SDMA Virtual School Option until Thursday, August 12. This will allow families time to review the plan that the Board approves prior to making a decision. The district cannot guarantee acceptance into the program for any applications received after the deadline.

More information about the upcoming school year will be coming soon in the SDMA Back-to-School Newsletter.

Sincerely,

Joe Zydowsky