By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up in the Piedmont Public Schools District.
As of Jan. 7, at the end of the first week of the spring semester, the district reported 87 students and 26 staff members had positive COVID-19 tests.
On Dec. 17, the last week of the fall semester, there were just four students and one staff member who had reported a positive test.
The Piedmont School Board addressed the quarantine period during their monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 10. The number of days for those who must quarantine was discussed. The board voted unanimously to reduce the mandatory number of days a person with a positive test but with no symptoms has to quarantine from 10 days to five days. Masks are recommended for students to wear for another five days after they return to school from their initial five-day quarantine.
The enrollment for the district as of Jan. 11 was 4,866 students, and students were still being enrolled for the spring semester this week.
The number of cases reported at Piedmont High School for Jan. 7 was 40 students and three staff members. The breakdown at other schools shows there were 14 students and two staff members positive at the Middle School of Piedmont.
Piedmont Intermediate School had nine students and two staff members positive Jan. 7.
Stone Ridge Elementary School had seven students and four staff members positive.
Piedmont Elementary School had five students and three staff members positive.
Northwood Elementary School had seven students and one staff member positive.
Piedmont Early Childhood Center had five students and five staff members positive.
District officials continue to look for more substitutes and bus drivers who are needed in the district.
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