UPDATE ON IN-PERSON SCHOOL FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH:

The Board voted last night to return our 7,8,9,10,11,12 grade students who chose Option 1 to in person school 2 days per week beginning Nov 12. 

MIDDLE:  Grade 7 Option 1 students will attend in-person on Tues & Wedn each week.  Other days will remain the same as the current schedule.
Grade 8 Option 1 students will attend in-person on Thurs & Fri each week.  Other days will remain the same.

HIGH:  Option 1 students with last names that begin with A-K will return for in-person on Tues & Wedn.  L-Z students on Thurs & Friday.  Other days remain the same.  (9th graders will also be on the hybrid model).

While I am glad that our students are getting back to some in person learning.  I asked the Superintendent what his plan is to get all of our Opt 1 Middle and High students back to 4 days per week learning.  He said that he doesn't have a plan nor is he working toward a plan at this time to make that happen.  I fear that these students will not get back to at least 4 days per week for months and other students may not see the inside of the classroom all year.

Ultimately, the Superintendent said that it is a space issue for returning all option 1 students. however, 80% of our Middle Schools have between 26-56% of the students requesting option 1.  75% of our High Schools have between 39% and 56% of the students requesting option 1.  Space should not be an issue with these numbers.  The other few schools who have higher numbers could think outside the box and do something different.  I was told it would be an equity issue.  

I made a substitute motion for the Board to accept the administrations current recommendations while also directing the Superintendent to work toward getting all option 1 students back to school as soon as possible.  The Board rejected my motion 3-8 (Weems, Hughes, Manning voted yes).  

We were also told that there has not be 1 student case of transmission of COVID within our schools.