(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education met in special session Monday,  taking action to adjust protocols for the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Calvert Elementary School was closed last week on Thursday and  Friday due to the number of positive COVID cases within the building.  

Superintendent David Patton said the Board voted to approve changes following input from about 15 school district patrons who spoke both in favor and against mandating masks be worn in classrooms. 

If the absenteeism rate reaches eight percent in a particular building over a two-week period,  staff and students will be required to wear masks.  If the absenteeism rate reaches 11 percent, the building will be shut down,  cleaned and then reopen with everyone required to wear a mask.  When the two-week rolling averaged goes below eight percent, the masks will not be required. 

Auburn School District patrons will be able to stay up to date on the absenteeism rate on the district website,  auburnpublicschools.org. 

Patton said the district will also be monitoring the number of staff members that are gone due to illness. There is a limited amount of substitute teachers available so if staff attendance rates get too high, adjustments will have to be made.

Superintendent Patton said the goal is to provide a healthy environment while giving students and families a sense of normalcy and predictability so the school buildings can remain open.

The vote to approve the protocol adjustments was 5-1 with Board member Laura Osborne casting the nay vote.