RSU 26 board adopts new COVID and respiratory-illness guidance aligned to CDC

The RSU 26 Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt updated district guidance aligning school practice with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

The board’s motion, made by the chair and seconded, passed 5–0 after a presentation from the superintendent and a short health-services briefing. The new guidance removes the district’s prior requirement for a five-day isolation and a five-day masking period and replaces those fixed rules with symptom-based guidance emphasizing a 24-hour fever-free period off fever-reducing medication and improving symptoms before returning to school.

Superintendent (speaker 2) told the board the change reflects CDC wording that treats COVID more like other respiratory illnesses for most people and aligns district practice with regional health guidance. School nurse Karen (speaker 12) told board members the district still has federally supplied test kits available to distribute to families and urged that students and staff who are ill stay home: "I still do have, you know, tests available ... I do encourage, you know, that if you're sick with anything, please stay home." The board discussed how the change reduces administrative burden and better matches household behavior around testing and isolation.

Board members emphasized the guidance is framed as district practice rather than a relaxation of basic hygiene: the new approach continues to recommend masking for individuals who choose it, enhanced hygiene practices, attention to ventilation and cleaning, and that symptomatic people remain home until they meet the symptom-based return criteria.

The board directed the administration to post the updated RSU 26 COVID and other respiratory viral illnesses guidelines and to continue monitoring state and CDC guidance for any required future changes. The motion passed 5–0.

The meeting record notes the superintendent and health staff will continue to provide tests on request and monitor implementation; further operational details will be shared with families via the district’s usual communication channels.