The spouse of a teacher in the South Butler County School District might have been exposed to someone diagnosed with coronavirus, but experts advised the district not to send the teacher home.

David Foley, superintendent, sent a letter to parents Wednesday evening informing them that the spouse of the unnamed teacher attended a conference in another city.

An individual at the conference tested positive for coronavirus, but it is not known if the teacher's spouse was exposed to that person.

“It is vital to note that this potential exposure occurred 10 days ago, and neither the teacher nor the spouse are experiencing any symptoms,” Foley's letter stated.

When Foley received the information, he contacted the Butler County Health Department for guidance. That department said the teacher should continue working, following advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

“With that in mind, we do not believe there is any danger to the school population, and the teacher will remain on duty,” Foley's letter stated.

He said per the CDC's advice, different actions would be taken if either the teacher or spouse exhibited symptoms of coronavirus, which are mainly coughing, a fever and shortness of breath.

Jenny Webb, South Butler communications manager, said Thursday that the spouse was informed of the potential exposure Wednesday and immediately notified the teacher.

The teacher, whose name, gender and school building are not identified, immediately alerted the principal, who notified Foley, Webb said.

Foley then called the health department for guidance, Webb said.

She said if a person who was potentially exposed experiences no symptoms in 10 days, the CDC is advising no quarantine for them or their families.

“Under that recommendation, the teacher continues to come to work at the school,” Webb said. “We are encouraged by the health department that there is no cause for concern at this time.”

She said no attendance issues among students, faculty or staff were noted Thursday in the district.

Webb said the district fielded a handful of calls from concerned parents, but the steady attendance Friday must mean parents do not feel the need to keep their students at home.

“It's just an average day and we're really not seeing any effect,” Webb said.

She said earlier in the week, Foley instructed faculty to create a 10-day lesson plan, so students could continue their schoolwork at home if any official shutdown would occur.

Should the school be closed, Webb said three snow days would be used immediately, then students would begin working on their lessons at home.

Students in grades seven through 12 would work online, but those in kindergarten through grade six received a packet of work Friday to do at home should the schools be closed as part of a statewide mandate.

Students are reminded not to start the work in the packets or online until they are notified to do so.

“What we are doing is putting into place the flexible instruction system used by (other county schools),” Webb said. “This is the best answer to keeping our kids working and actively learning.”

A letter was sent to all district parents Thursday with instructions on the prospective flexible instruction program, Webb said.

Bill Caudill, a South Butler parent with two elementary students in the district, sent his students to school Thursday.

Still, Caudill wonders if the district should have sent the teacher home out of an abundance of caution.

He said while the virus does not seem to be attacking children, there are students in the district who have underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.

Caudill worries the CDC has stated that it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear, yet does not recommend a quarantine after 10 days asymptomatic.

“I just find it weird,” he said. “Normally, with a situation like that they would say, 'Hey, stay home for a few days to make sure no symptoms are involved.'”

Webb said the district is following national guidelines.

“We are following the advisement of the experts,” she said.