PRIEST RIVER — The West Bonner County School District began roughing out a plan Monday to grapple with the rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic.

The district’s schools will be open today to avoid leaving working parents suddenly in the lurch with child care, but will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Schools will reopen on Friday under limited operations so students can collect personal items, textbooks and to distribute homework packets.

The district’s board of trustees voted on Monday to dismiss classes from Monday, March 23 through Tuesday, April 7. The board plans to meet again on Monday, April 6, to reassess the situation and develop a plan for distance learning if need be.

The dismissal coincides with the district’s spring break, which lasts from March 30 to April 3.

“We realize it has an impact on families,” district Superintendent Paul Anselmo said on Monday.

Anselmo said the district had 25- to 30-percent absenteeism due to mounting concerns about COVID-19 and its potential spread. Moreover, staff have been encouraged to remain home if they are feeling unwell.

“We don’t have a whole lot of kids showing up and at this point and we’re low on staff,” he said.

Anselmo said the district’s plan has the support of the Panhandle Health District.

Combination breakfast/lunches will be available for pickup at Idaho Hill and Priest River elementary schools and Priest River Junior High under the district’s summertime regimen. There is currently no plan for students who have child-care needs, but Anselmo said district facilities would likely remain closed for that purpose in order to keep people from congregating.

Board Chairwoman Sandy Brower expressed optimism that a community-based solution would emerge for child care.

“I really think the community will come together,” she said.

In addition to implementing a facility hygiene plan, district officials are looking at utilizing online platforms such as Google Classroom and Zoom video communications if the class dismissal needs to be extended.

“The tricky part is we’re a real rural district,” Trustee Drew McLain said, referring to students who don’t have an internet connection at home.

There appeared to be low confidence on Monday that classroom activities would resume in April.

Resident Roger Berry said he expects Idaho to be one of the last states to experience an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

“The full cascade hasn’t begun here yet,” Berry said.

Brower, a program coordinator at Bonner General Health in Sandpoint, said the hospital is still awaiting the results of those who have been tested for the virus, but has no doubt that it is present in the county.

“It’s here. We know it’s here,” said Brower.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.