Parents, and Guardians of KCSD Students,

The Kenton County School District will be implementing a COVID-19 testing program for school staff and students if community transmission reaches the “critical” phase of >25 cases/100,000 people daily. A testing program will help the KCSD mitigate and monitor the spread of COVID-19 allowing us to make additional investigations to determine if we need to close individual schools and/or the district. More importantly, the KCSD testing program will help to ensure that our students, families and our staff are in the safest environment possible during this unprecedented time.

In the event community transmission reaches the “critical” phase, COVID-19 testing will occur weekly on 10% of randomly selected students in 2nd to 12th grades and staff. Testing will occur on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the week following the identification of the “critical” phase. Testing results will be available by Friday at which time determination of in-person learning for the following week will be determined. Additional testing of athletes participating in moderate or high risk sports will also occur. There will be no costs to students and staff participating in this program; the KCSD is paying for all testing program costs.

The KCSD understands the importance of confidentially and privacy of educational and protected health records. The Family Educations Rights and Privacy Act section § 99.36 Health and Safety Emergencies permits the disclosure of COVID-19 positive test results to our local Health Department. Additionally, communicable disease reporting is required by state law to the Health Department. A non-identifiable number of positive COVID-19 test results will also be available on our district’s dashboard. By remaining in the testing program you give the district permission to share basic student information with the COVID-19 testing company. The following data will be shared: Name, DOB, and Gender.

While it is our expectation that everyone participate in this testing program, we recognize that some staff/parents/guardians do not want to participate in this program. You may opt out of random testing by completing and returning the section below. You may choose to opt back in at any time during the school year with a written request.

If you have additional questions contact the Director of Health Services, Paula Rust at (859)344-8888 or at paula.rust@kenton.kyschools.us .