RSU 74 Schools Delayed Due to Positive Case of COVID-19

RSU 74 is delaying its start-up until next week after a student tested positive for COVID-19.

Superintendent of Schools Mike Tracy posted on the department's Facebook page, that school officials are working with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the proper response. In the meantime, the schools that were due to reopen on September 1 will remain closed to students this week, and open on September 8. All school-related activities are cancelled for this week, as well.

RSU 74 includes the towns of Anson, New Portland and Embden.

Tracy told WABI-TV that the student has not yet been in school and has not come into contact with any of the department's staff. However, he says the response is out of "extreme caution and with new information." The student is currently quarantining at home with family.

Tracy says the individual schools will be reaching out with information about what the next steps will be in this process and about supplies for remote learners. Anyone with questions is asked to contact their child's school.

It's bound to be a complicated school year, as each district works with health officials to keep kids safe, while also trying to return to some sense of normalcy. Health and education officials are set to reevaluate the status of schools in Penobscot and York counties after the outbreak that's been traced back to a Millinocket wedding.