Hancock County school board discusses reopening options
NEW CUMBERLAND - The Hancock County Board of Education was presented Monday with a series of options for the reopening of schools this fall.
The board convened at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center for its regular meeting, hearing from Superintendent Dawn Petrovich on possible options for the 2020-21 school year. Petrovich noted current guidance from the state has students returning to class on Sept. 8, and the board is in the process of preparing for multiple contingencies.
"Our options today are intentionally general," she said, explaining it is possible the county will have to make adjustments prior to, and even during, the school year. "We will be following one of these options at the start of school."
The first option discussed would have students returning for traditional, in-person instruction, five days a week, with social distancing measures taken in the schools.
The second option would provide a "blended" instruction, with at least two days of in-person class work, and the remainder of the week focused on remote learning. Petrovich said this would be accomplished by dividing attendance based on a student's last name.
Those whose last name begins with the letters A through K would attend in-person classes Monday and Thursday, with L through Z attending Tuesday and Friday.
Petrovich said arrangements could be made for families with students of different last names.
"We will make arrangements so all of their children will attend on the same day," she said.
The third option, Petrovich said, would be for fully-remote instruction, which she noted would only take place under the orders of Gov. Jim Justice.
In the event students and their families do not wish to follow any of these options, they can apply for the county's virtual learning program. Petrovich said 10 to 12 families already have expressed interest in the program for the upcoming school year.
Applications for the virtual learning program, as well as more details on the proposed reopening options, will be available for review on the school board's website beginning today.
"This is just a snapshot," Petrovich said, noting the final plan is scheduled for a vote at the board's Aug. 10 meeting.
Board member Chris Gillette asked about preparations made for the schools, and was told some masks and face shields have been ordered, electrostatic sprayers are available to assist with cleaning, and hand sanitizer is being placed in every classroom and in the halls of each school. Plexiglass has been ordered for installation in school offices. The board also is looking at purchasing thermal scanners, with a demonstration on one potential unit set for today.
The board is holding a special meeting, by teleconference, this morning, to discuss a proposed technology initiative to assist with the reopening plan.