As of October 12, 2020, to be in compliance with current state guidelines for reporting Covid-19 data in schools, PPS has added a Covid-19 dashboard to their main webpage. 

The dashboard is a Google Sheets file that indicates the number of current staff and students with positive Covid-19 tests district wide and also in each building. 

“The district, in collaboration with the Kalamazoo County Health Department, only communicates confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a school building, student event/activity, or district-sponsored function,” says PPS Communications Director Michelle Karpinski. To maintain the balance between reporting and privacy requirements, the names of individuals testing positive will not be released.  “All contact tracing will be handled confidentially by the Health Department,” Karpinski explains. “In an effort to protect student and employee privacy rights, we respectfully encourage all Portage Public School families and students not to spread rumors or false information.” 

To fulfill the state reporting requirements, the dashboard updates daily.