Winneshiek County Public Health is helping local schools make decisions about resuming classes

Local schools face difficult decisions about resuming classes in person or online or a mixture of both approaches.

One of the resources they're turning to is the Winneshiek County Public Health Nursing Service.  "We've had conversations with all of them," says Winneshiek County Public Health Director Krista Vanden Brink.  She serves on the Decorah School Board, so she's been involved with their discussions.  On Monday Vande Brink and Winneshiek County Emergency Government Coordinator Sean Snyder held a webinar with South Winneshiek School district officials.  Vanden Brink says she's had conversations with the Turkey Valley School district, as well as with St. Benedict School staffers in Decorah.

In most cases, County Public Health officials tell local school officials what their options are and what precautions need to be taken.  The decisions are up to the local school officials.  But Vanden Brink says there's one piece of advice she always gives--make sure to have a backup plan or two.