Northern Adirondack Central School District
Office of the Superintendent
James C. Knight, Jr.
P.O. Box 164
Ellenburg Depot, New York 12935
518-594-7060 ● Fax 518-594-7255 ● jknight@nacs1.org
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March 3, 2021
Good afternoon Northern Adirondack!
This message is being shared to clarify some of the information regarding the Contact Tracing efforts that lead to potential Quarantine Orders from the Clinton County Health Department.
As we have had more and more positive COVID-19 cases that have impacted our campus recently, more families and staff have been impacted by Quarantine Orders. The process involved that is required by us to compile an accurate Contact Tracing list is daunting, and typically requires 3 to 10 hours of work shared by myself, building administrators, department supervisors, school nurses, and building and district office staff. As you can imagine, this work is not always completed during traditional work hours, nor is it always completed during the traditional work week. It is a task that must be completed promptly whenever we are alerted of a positive COVID-19 test result.
When compiling the Contact Tracing lists, we coordinate with two specific representatives from the Clinton County Health Department. Initially they inform us of a positive COVID-19 test result, then we communicate on potential individuals who are deemed close contacts. Every scenario and case is different, and often the CCHD representatives seek further input and guidance from their superiors at the New York State Department of Health. Once the criteria for being considered a close contact is established, we the school district compile the required lists based on attendance and proximity using the guidance that was provided to us by the CCHD. After the Contact Tracing list is forwarded to the CCHD, we the school district make courtesy calls to all of our families and staff members that are on our list for potential Quarantine Orders. It is imperative that when receiving a phone call from us for this purpose, that you are receptive and avoid lashing out at our district staff, mainly because this phone call is a courtesy call in an effort to prevent potential related exposures before the official Quarantine Notice phone call may arrive. It is also imperative to understand that due to HIPAA and FERPA the district staff member making the courtesy phone call may not be aware that a student has previously tested positive for COVID-19 and is within the 90 day window to prevent a Quarantine Order. Sharing that information in a calm and sharing manner allows for us to add a note to the list we provide to the CCHD, and they research the 90 day rule and eventually decide to remove individuals from the Contact Tracing list. Once the lists are finalized with the Clinton County Health Department, the CCHD utilizes the services of the VCC (Virtual Call Center) to make the phone and/or email communication regarding a quarantine order. It is very important to know that the VCC representatives come from all over the state of New York and often times weigh in with their opinions that can be misleading due to the fact that many counties across the state are doing things differently related to Quarantine orders and COVID-19 procedures in general.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Your efforts as well as ours will help put an end to this pandemic. Please maintain following the protocols and guidance, they truly are our most consistent means of winning this war accompanied by the increasing population that is vaccinated.
Educationally Yours,
James C. Knight, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools