COVID-19 Decision Matrix

  • Note: The following matrix and associated recommendations do not apply to students/families that have enrolled in the ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program.

    Development of the Matrix
    The development of this matrix was done in collaboration with the Johnson County Department of Public Health and Johnson County Emergency Management. Our process has also included a review of guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), other state guidelines and medical literature on COVID-19 related to children in school settings.

    How it will be used
    On a daily basis, the Iowa City Community School District’s Chief Operating Officer will track the positivity rates for Johnson County and each building's student/staff absence rate. The Chief Operating Officer will communicate these numbers to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will make a recommendation to the ICCSD Board of Directors when the data indicates that a shift in educational model may be required for a building or the District. This will include a review of the data and a decision will be made regarding whether the district will seek permission to move to a fully online learning environment. The Chief Operating Officer will track and provide additional data to identify trends and other indicators that may assist with decision making. The same process will be utilized if the District plans to transition to fully on-site for teaching and learning.

  • *Absence related to confirmed COVID-19 cases, presumed positives due to COVID-19 symptom reports, and quarantined students and staff.
    **Data from IDPH - https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/percent-school-district-positive-analysis

    Operational Steps for Changing the Delivery Model (DE Guidance)

    • The decision to remain in the instructional delivery model or to consider moving back to a different model will be reviewed every two weeks at a regularly scheduled Board Meeting.
      • This review will start two weeks before the end of the initial indicated period
      • An extension of the waiver (if Off-Site) will need to be considered at least one week prior to the end of the original waiver period.
    • A decision to change the instructional delivery model (Off-Site to Hybrid) will result in the District moving to the selected model following notification from the DE that the waiver has ended.
    • A decision to change the instructional delivery model (Hybrid to Off-Site) will result in the District moving to the selected model as soon as the next school day and no later than the start of the next instructional week following the decision.
    • A decision to move fully to the On-Site model will only be implemented at mid-term or at the end of a trimester.

    Operational Steps for Changing the Delivery Model (Independent of DE Guidance)

    • The decision to remain in the instructional delivery model or consider moving back to a different model will be reviewed every two weeks at a regularly scheduled Board Meeting.
      • This review will start two weeks before the end of the initial indicated period
    • A decision to change from the Off-site to Hybrid instructional delivery model will result in the District moving to the selected model as soon the next school day and no later than the start of the next instructional week following the decision.
    • A decision to change the Hybrid to Off-site instructional delivery model will result in the District moving to the selected model as soon as the next school day and no later than the start of the next instructional week following the decision.
    • If the District moves to a more restrictive model (less students in school) less than 6 weeks from the end of a trimester, the District will remain in the selected model until the end of the trimester.
      • A decision to move away from the model will be made no less than two weeks from the end of the trimester and consideration will take place every two weeks thereafter
      • A directive from the DE could require a modification of these guidelines
    • A decision to move fully to the On-Site model will only be implemented at mid-term or at the trimester.

Sources