Dennis Dearden was the first to roll up his sleeve — and was happy to do so.
Dearden, superintendent of the Sedona-Oak Creek School District, was one of dozens of administrators, teachers, staff and substitute teachers who received the COVID-19 vaccination on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Sedona Performing Arts Center.
“We’ve been in school since Aug. 24 and we’ve tried to come up with a mitigation plan to keep our staff and students safe and today is just another step in that direction,” he said. “We value and appreciate the opportunity for our staff to get vaccinated today. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.
“There’s personal reasons for staff as to why they get it or not and we honor that. But we want to provide that opportunity. If you’ve had adverse reactions to vaccines in the past, they discourage you from getting it. There are some legitimate reasons why people choose not to do it.”
In all, 80 staff members between the two schools were expected to get vaccinated by the Moderna lab’s vaccine, which is slightly higher than the original 75% that was anticipated. Those who received the vaccination will still have to adhere to the same protocols as before — wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing.
“This is just an added safety measure that we’re providing,” Dearden said.
Since schools reopened, the district has had nine students who have tested positive for COVID-19. Dearden noted that in none of those cases the student contracted the virus at school and that there was no spread.
“We’ve got some great mitigation strategies and enforce mask wearing but kids are kids and we have to remind them all the time,” he said of the low positive case numbers. “For the most part they’re done a good job. The parents have done a good job of letting us now when their kids are sick and we obviously encourage them to stay home. There’s really been an incredible amount of teamwork between our teachers, parents and the parents.”
Dearden said in all of his years in education, this has been the most difficult.
“And yet, I’ve grown as a leader in terms of advocating for staying open because I feel it’s the best and safest place for kids,” he said. “I think research now is kind of saying the same thing. They’re not seeing widespread COVID cases in schools.”
He said one key to their low numbers has been contract tracing at the district level, which has been overseen by Assistant Superintendent Deanna DeWitt.
“It’s a lengthy process, every time she has to do it,” Dearden said. “She has to research where kids sat in classes and how close they have been to other students. She then has to contact students and parents. Short of that, we probably would have had more of a problem. But because we’ve done a good job in that area we have limited the number of cases.”
Those who were vaccinated this week are being asked to return for their second shot on Feb. 11.
A familiar face to the school who received a shot was Dennis Mobley, who chose to take a leave of absence from the school this year due to COVID concerns.
“My wife made that decision,” he said, laughing. “I’m in the age bracket and we didn’t know where all of this was headed. But I am looking forward to coming back next year and hopefully we’ll be on the other side of this situation.”
Mobley, who has been in education for nearly a half century, said not being in the classroom has been difficult.
“I really miss both teaching and coaching,” he said. “It’s the kids I miss the most. So I’m glad I was able to get vaccinated today, so go ahead and put me at the front of the line.”
