More covid cases reported among Allegheny Valley School District staff, students

Five students and staff members at Allegheny Valley School District have tested positive for covid in the past week, the district said.

Spokeswoman Jan Zastawniak said those infected were last in a school building more than a week ago, and the cases are unrelated and do not suggest school community spread. The district is currently offering remote instruction.

In all, seven students and five staffers have tested positive for covid since Oct. 9.

In a letter to parents dated Wednesday, Superintendent Patrick Graczyk said the district is following Allegheny County Health Department guidance regarding contact tracing.

“Please understand that the district has an obligation to the health, safety and welfare of all members of our community and an obligation to protect the privacy of individuals affected,” Graczyk said.

When the district had its first case involving a staffer in early October, it was on a hybrid schedule with students attending classes in person two days a week and learning remotely on other days.

Later that month, Allegheny Valley School Board unanimously rejected a proposal by Graczyk to return Acmetonia Elementary School students to in-person classroom learning four days a week.

Graczyk said the board acted in a wise and prudent manner.

“They examined the facts in front of them and, as I listened, I was in agreement with them,” Graczyk said. “When nine board members are saying, ‘We don’t like this plan and these are the reasons why,’ reflecting on it, they were spot on.”