House schools closes until Nov. 30 because of COVID-19 case

House Municipal Schools in southern Quay County will be closed until Nov. 30 after a student or employee there tested positive for the coronavirus.

Also, a Tucumcari Elementary School staff member or student has tested positive for the disease. It was the third time the elementary school has dealt with a COVID-19 case this school year.

House superintendent Bonnie Lightfoot made the announcement Monday evening with a letter to students and parents posted on the district's website.

“Due to this positive case, we are forced to close our school and our in-person learning for 14 days,” Lightfoot wrote. “The closure begins tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10, 2020, and students will not be able to return to school until Monday, November 30, 2020.”

Part of the second week of the mandated closure falls on Thanksgiving week.

Lightfoot said students would revert to remote learning in all grades during that period. The school also would allow pick-up of meals if arrangements are made.

Lightfoot said the district would investigate who had “close contact” with the infected person. Anyone who had close contact will be notified by the district. The district buildings also will be cleaned and disinfected.

House Municipal Schools several weeks ago was allowed to have in-person classes in all grades because the New Mexico Public Education Department approved its plan as a micro-district of fewer than 100 students. San Jon Municipal Schools also is holding in-person classes under a similar plan.

Tucumcari superintendent Aaron McKinney stated in a news release Sunday a staff member or student had tested positive for the virus.

He said the district also would investigate close contacts and notify those who would meet that criteria. The school also would be cleaned and disinfected.

McKinney said, however, that Tucumcari Elementary students should continue to go to school unless notified otherwise.