Newton County changes quarantine policy; Neosho Schools go back to original policy

The Newton County School System had made plans to ease some of the strict quarantine requirements for students with close exposure to someone with COVID-19.

The planned changes would have allowed students to come back to school without undergoing a full 14-days of quarantine if they remained masked, exercised scrupulous social distancing and were closely monitored for symptoms by teachers, school officials and parents.

The changes had just gone into effect at several schools but the Neosho School System has decided to reverse the new course.

The Neosho School System has switched back to its original policy.

Representatives from the Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education had contacted the district to express concerns about a shift away from state and national standards.

Also, Neosho had to close its Jefferson Street alternative campus Monday due to a positive case of COVID-19 and other virus-related factors.