BOARD OF EDUCATION
DR. GUY B. SMITH, PRESIDENT KAREN COFFMAN, VICE PRESIDENT BURTON YARNELL, SECRETARY JASON MILLER
JOEY HALL

Salem Public Schools
WAYNE GUILTNER, SUPERINTENDENT 313 HWY 62 E - SUITE 1
SALEM, ARKANSAS 72576
OFFICE: (870) 895-2516
FAX: (870) 895-4062
www.salemschools.net

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
CODY CURTIS ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL COREY JOHNSON

Date: March 12, 2020
To:	Students and Parents
From: Wayne Guiltner , Superintendent Re:	COVID-19 Preparation

With the first presumed positive case of COVID-19 in Arkansas, there is a very important question that will need to be answered. How will this affect schools in Arkansas? We do not currently know exactly how it will affect schools or if it even will, but we have put together a plan to ensure the safety of our students and teachers, while continuing to educate our students.

Last week we held a disaster recovery meeting with the intent to set forth a plan in case a student or teacher was diagnosed with the coronavirus. By being proactive, we will have measures in place that will protect our students and teachers, as well as help continue the learning. In the plan, we discussed every aspect, from the closing of school for disinfecting, to continuing education through online learning, and then finally, getting back to school. We have a good plan that will make the best of a bad situation if it arises.

One thing we can do currently is to continue to remind our students to wash their hands, not to touch others, stay  away from large gathering areas, use hand sanitizer, and to keep their hands away from their faces. They should also know to stay home when they are sick.

Below are two links to the most recent guidance documents from the Arkansas Department of Health regarding school districts' preparation for the possibility of community outbreaks of COVID-19, and I thought it was important for you to have the most updated information as well.

https://dri ve.google.com/fi le/d/ l f 5B3kH qOr A 8PTDJTwoA 84V 7ubXr6Cl aE/view?usp= sharing https://www .hea lthy .a rkansas .gov/pro gram s-services/topics/nove	l-coronavirus 

We do not know how the COVID-19 virus will affect school, but as in all cases, we will work diligently to protect our students and staff and continue to provide our students with a quality education.

Thank you,
Wayne Guiltner Superintendent,
Salem School District

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