Simi Valley Unified describes voluntary COVID testing program; staff say about 300 test results returned

District staff described the Simi Valley Unified voluntary COVID testing program and current results at the Oct. 19 board meeting.

Trustee Smallwood asked for clarification about the testing parameters and timing; district staff said the program is voluntary and currently organized into three zones with staff rotating through six schools per day to offer tests to families and staff who request them.

Mr. Bowman, who answered the board's questions about testing logistics, said the district had given roughly 300 tests for which results had been received and was still awaiting publication of results from other administered tests: "We've received about 300 test results back. We don't know how many tests have been given until the results are published." (Mr. Bowman)

Mr. Bowman said initial test-kit supplies were prioritized for people exposed at school and for unvaccinated staff; he told the board he was working on additional orders so testing could be available to any student or employee who wants it.

Trustees and the superintendent noted that Mr. Goldman is responsible for tracking COVID cases in schools and praised the decline in case counts over the past week as a positive sign.

What the district said about testing
- Voluntary program, divided into three zones.
- Staff rotate to six schools per day to offer testing to families and staff who opt in.
- About 300 test results had been received at the time of the meeting; the district said it had administered more tests but was awaiting published results to count them.
- Initial supplies prioritized exposed individuals and unvaccinated staff; additional kit orders were being pursued.

The board did not change existing operational COVID protocols at the meeting; trustees asked staff to continue reporting case counts and to expand testing availability as supplies arrive.