South Washington County Schools Share Initial Safe Learning Plan For Fall 2020

Press release from South Washington County Schools:

August 3, 2020

During a special school board meeting on Monday, Aug. 3, South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo) presented its safe learning plan for the new school year. Following a review of distance learning and in-person learning, the school board voted to approve the most complicated plan – hybrid learning.

The approval does not mean that the school year will start in a hybrid learning model. The school board simply approved administration to move forward on planning for hybrid learning in the event it’s needed this fall.

The school board also directed the superintendent to be more restrictive than the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Safe Learning Plan. The state’s previously announced formula uses COVID-19 infection rates over 14 days to determine school reopening. Based on the state’s recommendations and if the first day of school was held today, elementary school students (K-5) could attend school in-person, and secondary school students (6-12) could be in a hybrid model. Because the school board directed the superintendent to be more restrictive by one level, that would mean that elementary school students (K-5) and secondary students (6-12) would both attend school in a hybrid model if school were to be held today.

The school board will make the final decision on how school will start this fall during its board meeting on Aug. 13. SoWashCo will also evaluate its ability to implement learning plans while balancing logistics, staffing numbers and the health and safety of students and staff.

This press release was produced by South Washington County Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.