From Dr. Matt Gordon, Superintendent - September 29, 2021
Rankin School District #98 has entered into an agreement with Achieve Health Management (AHM) for COVID-19 Testing. You can access the agreement here. AHM was recommended by the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) for COVID-19 Testing services. Please see comments from IASA about AHM from August 3, 2021,
"A major challenge facing school leaders is how to oversee a successful COVID-19 testing program that can help keep kids in school but also be affordable for your district and manageable for your staff. As IASA has done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to share with you an option to consider that we believe can help your district navigate this pressing challenge. Achieve Health Management's COVID-19 Testing for Schools includes a team of diagnostic experts, as well as a CLIA-certified, nationwide laboratory network that analyzes multiple specimen types and reports results within 48 hours. Achieve diagnostic experts will coordinate the entire testing process on your behalf, and the company has the capacity to administer and process high volume PCR testing for students, staff and community members. Rapid Antigen testing is available on site. Achieve Health Management was approved to receive federal grant money for COVID-19 testing and therefore is able to conduct this service at no cost to your district, no matter what tier. We were also impressed with the accuracy of the COVID-19 tests Achieve Health Management provides, and the ability to detect SARS-CoV-2, as well as the Delta and Gamma variants."
The Rankin Board of Education has been utilizing AHM since September 14, 2021, to assist in maintaining compliance with the COVID-19 vaccine/testing mandate. Following the September 27th Regular Board Meeting, the Rankin Board of Education provided guidance to the Administration to begin the process of utilizing AHM's rapid antigen tests to assist with allowing certain asymptomatic individuals who are considered close contacts to a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case to remain at school via test-to-stay (days 1,3,5,& 7) OR in certain circumstances for symptomatic individuals who are not considered close contacts to test-to-return. No student or staff member is automatically afforded the test-to-stay or test-to-return option. All situations are considered case-by-case and clinical judgment is utilized. Additionally, consultation with the Tazewell County Health Department may also occur as decisions are made related to testing, exclusion, and attendance.
It is imperative that everyone understand that NO STUDENT WILL BE FORCED TO TEST! The District's goal was to make testing an option given that ISBE / IDPH provides guidance that allows for individuals in certain circumstances to test-to-stay or test-to-return. Further, it is also crucial that everyone understand that we must have signed parent permission via the COVID-19 TESTING FORM. This form must be signed in writing for each and every test and provided or emailed to Nicole Washkowiak, District Nurse at nwashkowiak@rankin98.org. Mrs. Washkowiak can assist families with any questions about the form. The form includes the need for insurance information for each individual. AMH has continually communicated to the District that the costs of the tests are submitted to private insurance carriers, Health Resources & Services Administration, and Medicare. AMH via https://achievehealthmanagement.com/illinois-schooltesting/ states, "Achieve's third-party billing and reimbursement services were designed to submit claims for Covid testing directly to private insurance, HRSA, and Medicare so there will be no cost for testing to students, faculty, and staff."
The GenBody antigen test information can be found here. Please understand that the District will ONLY utilize the Anterior Nares specimen collection process, which is just inside the nose and not intrusive.
The goal is to be set up for testing for students by October 5th. We understand you may have questions. Please feel free to contact Dr. Matt Gordon at mgordon@rankin98.org or Nicole Washkowiak at nwashkowiak@rankin98.org. You can also call the school at 309-346-3182 as well. We certainly appreciate everyone's patience as the District embarks upon this new initiative.
Sincerely,
Dr. Matt Gordon, Superintendent
