Tonight we learned, that a second Unatego Elementary School staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.

The staff member who tested positive was in the school building last Thursday, and was not symptomatic at the time. Any student or staff member who had close contact with that staff member will be notified by the school and/or the Otsego County Department of Public Health.

At this time, we believe that exposure to the second staff member was limited to Kindergarten and Fifth grade; many staff members and students in those grades are already on quarantine and the remainder of students and staff in those grades have been moved to remote instruction for the remainder of the week.  We will work with the Otsego County Department of Health to ensure that contact tracing is thorough and complete. 

Based on the information we have and after consultation with the Otsego County Department of Public Health, the Unatego Elementary School will reopen to in-person hybrid instruction tomorrow, March 3, for students in grades 1-4 only. 

Parents of students in grade K and 5 have already been notified that students will engage in remote instruction for the remainder of the week.

Please note that the federal and state privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive or release any additional information.

Dr. David S. Richards

Superintendent of Schools