Will Columbus area schools reopen in August amid coronavirus? Here are their plans.
As schools in the Columbus area complete the 2019-20 academic year via distance learning due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic, they are planning whether and how to reopen their campuses in August.
The COVID-19 guidelines from federal, state and local authorities are rapidly changing, so no plans are finalized. But some schools are outlining their options, and one school district already has delayed its first day of classes for the fall 2020 semester.
Here’s a roundup of how public systems and private schools are approaching this decision.
Muscogee County
During the Muscogee County School Board’s monthly meeting Monday, superintendent David Lewis said the district is developing three plans for the reopening of schools: a full return to on-campus instruction, continuing distance learning and a hybrid model allowing for both modes.
It’s unclear which one will be implemented, but Lewis told the board that expecting normal school operations would be “very idealistic, given the current situation.”
Lewis noted approximately one-third of MCSD’s workforce has a pre-existing medical condition or someone else in their home does, making it more dangerous for them to contract the coronavirus.
“Likewise, we know there are parents who are not comfortable sending their children to school, so they might find a virtual option more palatable,” he said. “At the same time, we recognize there are many parents who, if they don’t work, they are not able to get paid.”
That’s why, Lewis said, “A hybrid model is one that we’re really looking at probably realistically as we start looking toward the reopening. But, again, lots of things change very quickly, and we’re trying to stay abreast of those from the federal, state and local levels, and we’ll work with our health officials, and we will make decisions based on that at the time.”
Two MCSD administrators — Project AWARE director Kenya Gilmore and plant services director James Odom — are members of Georgia K-12 Restart Working Groups, appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp and state superintendent Richard Woods.
One change to MCSD’s operation for next school year already has been made. The board unanimously passed Lewis’ recommendation to move the last day of classes back one day later. According to the agenda, the originally approved calendar had 179 instructional days, one short of the state-mandated 180. So the last day of classes will be May 21.
Harris County
Harris County School District superintendent Roger Couch said in an email to the L-E, “We are monitoring decreases and increases in COVID-19 cases and evaluating how those numbers affect system plans. We continually review CDC and local (health department) recommended guidelines. Factors influencing safety plans, protocols and school opening procedures will be much more clear in July.”
Chattahoochee County
The Chattahoochee County School District has two committees examining best practices to develop its plans. One committee is focused on virtual instruction, and the other is focused on reopening schools, ChattCo superintendent Kristie Brooks told the L-E in an email.
“Each committee’s work will be based on the results of a parent and community survey that will be tabulated by June 1,” she said. “The final draft plans are due by June 10 and will be reviewed by the leadership team. Our hope is that additional state guidance and expectations will be available later in June to assist us in finalizing the plans.”
Phenix City
During its monthly meeting Thursday night, the Phenix City Board of Education approved the recommendation from superintendent Randy Wilkes to delay the originally scheduled start of the 2020-21 school year by 11 days to give the system more time to implement its pending plan.
So instead of the first day of classes being Aug. 6, students now are scheduled to start the school year Aug. 17.
PCS will make up those seven postponed class days without going later in May by eliminating the Friday and Monday off days around Columbus Day weekend in October, the Monday and Tuesday off days before Thanksgiving, the Presidents Day off day in February and the weather day in April, as well as coming back from Christmas break one day earlier, Wilkes said.
Wilkes told the L-E in an email that he made the recommendation based on a request from Alabama State Department of Education superintendent Eric Mackey.
Al.com reported May 3 that Mackey asked school district superintendents who planned to start school in early August to consider reopening in late August instead.
Mackey is expected to release on June 19 the state’s reopening guidelines for Alabama public schools, Wilkes said. PCS will finalize its plan shortly after that, he said.
“Phenix City Schools will adhere to all state guidance which will be issued by the offices of the governor, state superintendent and the Alabama Department of Public Health,” Wilkes said.
Among the safety precautions PCS plans to take, Wilkes listed purchasing Clorox 360 machines, bus sanitizing equipment, sanitation wipes, thermometers, supplies for nurses and custodians, privacy screens, sneeze guards, desks to eliminate tables, mobile wi-fi hotspots and Chromebooks for remote learning.
PCS also is considering employing “an additional curriculum person, nurse and social worker to accommodate students’ academic, physical and emotional needs,” he said.
A survey of parents and educators will help the school system develop its plan, Wilkes said. Bell schedules with fewer class changes could be implemented, he said.
“PCS does anticipate purchasing masks but will not require such unless (state authorities) prescribe,” he said. “In any event, students may opt to wear their own.”
Brookstone
In a message Friday to parents, Brookstone head of school Marty Lester said, “We expect to return to campus in August on schedule, and our goal is to resume on-campus teaching at that time to the greatest extent possible. However, the uncertain trajectory of the pandemic requires us to consider multiple modes of teaching including the possibility of a hybrid model.”
Even if Brookstone reopens its campus, “social distancing modifications and new cleaning and sanitation procedures” likely will be implemented, he said. “The requirement of masks for faculty and students is a possibility and will depend on guidance from health officials.”
A hybrid model could mean “periods of time on campus with a temporary return to distance learning if there is a spike in the virus,” Lester said.
Another option is “a continuation of distance learning until conditions change permitting gathering,” he said.
St. Anne-Pacelli
St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School is planning to conduct classes on campus beginning Aug. 10, communications director Jennifer Sillitto told the L-E in an email.
“We are presently awaiting more guidance from Georgia’s governor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding any possible changes to the current 2020-2021 start date,” she said.
St. Luke
St. Luke School is planning to open as scheduled for on-campus instruction Aug. 12, board chairman Andy Hidle told the L-E in an email.
Asked what safety precautions would be required, Hidle said, “We will continue to closely monitor the changing safety recommendations and guidance provided from health and governmental agencies.”
Hidle added, “We are retraining team members with regard to best practices. We have engaged professional cleaning expertise for increased training and services, and we have already begun to implement enhanced sanitation and hygiene procedures.”
Glenwood
In an email Wednesday to parents, Glenwood School headmaster Frankie Mitchum said Aug. 6 still is the scheduled first day of classes.
Glenwood has formed a reopening committee, comprising educational and medical experts in the community, “to discuss the ever-changing guidelines and help make sound decisions about what is best for our school,” he said.
Unavailable
The L-E didn’t receive a response from school officials representing Russell County, Lee County or Calvary Christian before this story’s publication.
This story was originally published May 25, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
