The Idaho State Board of Education on Thursday unanimously outlined the process for school districts and charter schools to follow once schools reopen.

The School District and Charter School Re-entry Criteria (Return from Soft-Closure) details the minimum re-entry criteria required for schools to move from soft closures to normal operations, completed in consultation with local and state health officials.

“I think it is a very strong document that will provide appropriate guidance for our districts that wish to reopen,” said SBE member Linda Clark.

The Coeur d'Alene School District closed its school buildings March 16, soon followed by Post Falls and Lakeland school districts.

"We are glad to have state criteria establishing the conditions under which we can consider reopening our school buildings," said Coeur d'Alene School District spokesman Scott Maben.

The criteria state that for school to resume normal operations:

• No social distancing, stay-home orders or extensive closures of businesses can be in place, with limited exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.

• The peak of infection in Idaho has passed, as determined by the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare, and 14 days have passed since the peak.

• Re-entry plans to be approved by the local board of trustees identify minimum school protocols (listed on the SBE website).

Maben said Coeur d'Alene will proceed in a manner that safeguards the health of students, staff and community.

"Ongoing occurrences of local community spread of this infection could be a key factor in determining when it’s appropriate to reopen,” he said.

He added that time is needed to develop the protocols before opening is possible.

"We will need to identify vulnerable staff and students and provide for ongoing measures to protect them," he said. "We also need to craft an absenteeism plan for staff and students who may not be comfortable returning to school, or who show symptoms of coronavirus.”

Visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov for details.