On Thursday, Sept. 10, just one day after students returned to the classroom, the district reported its first case of COVID-19 from a student. According to newly obtained emails sent to parents about the positive test, the school and county health department are monitoring the situation and not requiring any other students to quarantine at this time.

The student did not attend school while presumed positive for COVID-19.

An email from Monticello Trails athletic Bryan LeBar informed parents of volleyball players that “your child may have had low-risk contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.” Four days later, on Monday, Sept. 14, a letter from principal Melissa Hansen notified all Monticello Trails in-person parents that a student at the school had tested positive. 

Both communications also emphasized to parents that they continue to follow proper health and safety procedures.

“COVID-19 is circulating at high levels in our community,” Hansen and LeBar said in their messages. “Everyone should be washing their hands with soap and water frequently, wearing a mask in public, and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance to prevent its spread.”

A sibling of the Monticello Trails student who is presumed positive for COVID-19 attends Mill Valley, according to sources with knowledge of the family. As of Tuesday, Sept. 15, the high school has not yet sent out any messages to parents about presumed positive cases exposed within the building.

At a board meeting Monday, Sept. 14 — the same day Hansen notified parents of a presumed positive at Monticello Trails — superintendent Frank Harwood shared that, since July, 121 students and staff across the district had entered quarantine or self-isolation.

Up-to-date information about the spread of COVID-19 in the county can be found at this link to the KDHE website.

This story was updated at 5:16 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 to indicate that the student has not attended in-person classes.

This story was updated at 11:11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15 to provide additional information about COVID-19 at Mill Valley and include details on total cases throughout the district from the Monday, Sept. 14 board meeting.