A Christian school in Colorado faces the risk of being shut down if it doesn't comply with local COVID-19 protocols.
Resurrection Christian School in Larimer, CO, had been ordered several weeks ago to adopt a universal mask mandate and social distancing after the school reported that 35 out of 1600 students had tested positive for COVID-19. Officials had also requested that Resurrection also conduct contact tracing where relevant.
Public health officials from the Larimer County Department of Health told Resurrection officials that they should expect a visit from officials on the school's first day and that if the school did not fulfill the requested measures, they would "pursue further action, including possible closure of the school."
"[Larimer health officials are] concerned about the health of the students, staff, and visitors of RCS and the failure thus far to effectively implement any control measures. It has resulted in additional cases and unnecessary risk to those in the school," the public health officials told local papers. "Maintaining in-person learning is the primary goal, but this cannot be possible if the outbreak continues and cases increase."
However, RCS leadership is arguing that these decisions should be left to parents. "RCS proudly supports its parents' rights to make the decisions you feel (are) best for your children," RCS superintendent Jerry Eshleman said in an email last week. "We are not a place of public accommodation. We are a private, Christian school and operate outside of the public school model and domain."
RCS is currently exploring legal options and is speaking with county attorneys.