Coronavirus Exposure At York High School: Official

ELMHURST, IL — Several Elmhurst School District 205 employees are in quarantine or self-isolation after they became exposed to the coronavirus, the superintendent announced Tuesday night. The problem apparently began in York High School's "multi-needs" classrooms.

Because of the issue, the district's plans to bring back special needs students Wednesday has been delayed until at least Sept. 14. Students began school last week remotely. In a mass email to families, Superintendent Dave Moyer called the delay a setback in the district's plans.

Check Patch's latest update on the coronavirus in Elmhurst:

Elmhurst Virus Caseload Up By Third Since Late July

In his message, Moyer did not give the number of employees who are in quarantine or self-isolation. Nor did he say how many people tested positive for the virus.

He said the staff and families of the students in the multi-needs classrooms had already been notified of the delayed reopening. The sanitization and disinfection of the multi-needs classrooms has begun, he said.

Late Monday afternoon, Elmhurst Patch received a couple of messages about the issue in York's multi-needs classrooms. So Patch asked a district spokeswoman specifically about that situation. Instead of answering the question, she replied by email the next day with a list of protocols on handling coronavirus cases.

Asked again about York, she noted a delay in students' first day in the multi-needs classrooms until at least Sept. 14. But she revealed nothing about the coronavirus situation at York, only saying a statement would be issued that night with more information. More than a day after Patch's first inquiry, the superintendent issued his message.

Near the end of his message, Moyer had a word about media and social media. He said the district appreciated the conversation in social media groups and among "our media partners" on the impact of the coronavirus on the schools.

"We also trust that all parties are attempting to be well-meaning when sharing information and tips," Moyer wrote. "However, it is vitally important to handle potential medical information with sensitivity and avoid speculation, particularly in our close-knit D205 school community."

The first day of in-person learning for virtually all students in District 205 has been set for Sept. 14, though a timeline of the district's reopening released last week did not include that date. School officials have said before that Sept. 14 is not a guarantee.

Here are some of the latest stories about reopening D-205:

Elmhurst D-205 Union Says School Reopening Plan Will Fail

D-205 Touts This Key Change For Remote Learning

D-205 Sticks To Schedule, But With Key Change

Enough Staff For Elmhurst D-205?

District 205 Sees Wave of Resignations

See Which Elmhurst Areas Backed In-Person Lessons Most

D-205 Gives No Clarity On In-Person Learning

D-205 Rejects Most Employees' Remote Requests