By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public News) – Back to school time is fast approaching.

As schools prepare for their fall semester reopening, it will be up to each local school board to decide what kind of COVID-19 protocols will be in place, now that the Delta variant is spreading.

State school superintendent Kirsten Baesler.

Baesler says her office will provide resources for local schools, to help them make those decisions. And she says the schools can consult CDC guidelines. But she emphasizes that these are just guidelines.

State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi.

Wehbi says North Dakota has seen an uptick in cases, primarily due to the Delta variant.