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Libby Elementary School closed after evidence of virus spread in the building

DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 11 months AGO
by DERRICK PERKINS
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | October 13, 2020 9:39 PM

Education officials have announced that Libby Elementary School is closed tomorrow, Oct. 14, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a short statement posted to Facebook, the school district said that the decision to close the building came after they learned that coronavirus cases had spread within the facility. Officials did not say whether classes would be taught remotely.

Classes will go on as usual at Libby Middle High School, officials said. Superintendent Ron Goodman reportedly was working with county health department staff to determine when and if the building could reopen.

The announcement went up on Facebook a little after 9 p.m., Oct. 13.

Positive cases among students were announced less than two weeks into the school year. By Oct. 5, some 70 students and staff were in quarantine after being exposed to the virus, which forced school buildings closed this past spring.

Officials encouraged residents to spread word of the closure to any families that might potentially be affected by the closure.

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