In a close vote after a lengthy discussion, school officials have shortened the 14-day quarantine period for students who come in close contact with an individual infected with COVID-19. The School Board, at its regular business meeting last week, voted 4-3 to shorten the quarantine period to seven days provided the student who comes in close contact with a COVID-infected individual tests negative for the virus after day five. School Board members Nichol O'Neill, Ryan Ravenhorst, Scott Romens and Will Welch all voted to shorten the quarantine period. Rebecca Wortman, School Board chair, and members Todd Emanuel and Lori Miller-Beach voted to stay with the 14-day quarantine. Welch told his fellow School Board members the 14-day quarantine has been a challenge for families and students. At the same time, shortening the quarantine to seven days would be more difficult for school staff, he said... For more on this story pick up your copy of the May 4 Stewartville STAR.
