Rapid Testing at SYC427 

In mid-January of this year, Sycamore Community School District 427 conducted its first COVID-19 rapid test at the District Administration Center. In partnership with the DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD), the District receives testing kits from BinaxNOW. The majority of our health office staff have now been trained to administer this test, interpret results, and report results to the Illinois Department of Public Health.  

District 427 is the first school district in DeKalb County to administer rapid tests to employees. Other districts in the county are beginning the process of partnering with the DCHD to become testing sites. District 427 Lead District Nurse Kori Mauch said, “We have been able to be a resource to several districts as they begin the process of opening a testing site for their employees.”

Currently, District 427 staff are being tested if they are symptomatic or a member of their household is symptomatic. “The health department has provided guidance for when the use of this test is appropriate. Not every situation will be a good fit for this test. Often, a situation may require a second test,” said Mauch.

When a staff member needs to be tested, they continue to follow protocols that have been in place since the beginning of the school year. When experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, a staff member and all other household members that are part of the school community stay home while the symptomatic member is evaluated.