WACO, TX —

The principal of G.W. Carver Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19, and is currently hospitalized.

According to Waco ISD, the principal was on campus at times the week after spring break. He was also present when at-home learning kits were distributed to G.W. Carver families last Monday.

Waco ISD Superintendent Kincannon is urging anyone who has been in close contact with the principal since March 20 to notify your healthcare provider and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon provided the following message to WISD families and employees:

“Last night, we learned that Phillip Perry, the principal of G.W. Carver Middle School, has tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently hospitalized. Mr. Perry, through his family, gave us permission to share these details with you, and I hope that you will join me in praying for his quick recovery.

Like all of you, in addition to being concerned about Mr. Perry, I had questions about what his diagnosis means for Waco ISD families and employees. Although our campuses have been closed since March 16, our campus leaders have been hard at work to support our students. At times the week after spring break, Mr. Perry was on campus and at the administration building. He was also present when at-home learning kits were distributed to G.W. Carver families last Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe close contact as “being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time.”

If you believe you have been in close contact with Mr. Perry since March 20, you should notify your healthcare provider, monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 (including a fever over 100.4, cough, and difficulty breathing), and self-isolate for 14 days from when you were last in close contact with him. You may want to take your temperature twice a day to monitor for a fever.

We are working with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, and they will be in contact with anyone who has been in close, prolonged contact with Mr. Perry. The health district has a COVID-19 public information line at 254-750-1890, and you can also contact them for concerns related to exposure and symptoms.

This news is tough to share. While we have all been affected by school closures and shelter-in-place orders, it’s a turning point to know that one of our campus leaders is battling the virus. Over the past two weeks, I’ve watched our employees and families come together to support our students. I have no doubt that we will do the same for Mr. Perry now.”

