64 new cases reported in virtual school district

Students expected to return to class Feb. 7

An additional 64 cases of COVID-19 were reported among students and staff of Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, which abruptly went virtual a weekand-a-half ago following an explosion of new cases in the district.

Fourteen of the cases were reported in staff and students at each the high school and Fancher Elementary, 13 at the middle school, eight at Mcguire Elementary, seven at Ganiard Elementary, four at Pullen Elementary, two at the bus garage and one at the administration building, according to a letter sent to district parents by Superintendent

Jennifer Verleger.

Thirty-seven cases involved students and 22 involved district staff.

“We continue to work closely with Central Michigan District Health Department to respond to the news of additional cases, protect the health of our community and maintain educational opportunities for the affected individuals,” the letter said. “Each situation calls for different protocols. We are closely monitoring the impact that each case has on our students and staff.”

The district transitioned from face-to-face to virtual a week and a half ago after more than 150 cases were reported among students and staff within the first week of school returning from the holidays.

District officials say the new cases haven’t changed plans to return to school next Monday.

The district also recently changed its internal calendar, moving a no-school professional development day from Feb. 7 to Friday. Based on that change, students and staff are expected to go back to school on Feb. 7, Verleger said in an email.