NPS Postpones Possible Hybrid Learning Plans, Orders Review Of 'Orange' Level Guidelines
It was a full house at Monday's NPS School Board of Education meeting as a 4-0 vote postponed possible hybrid learning plans and ordered a review of the "Orange" level school guidelines.
By News Channel Nebraska
NORFOLK - It was a full house at the Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education meeting Monday.
Teachers, students, and parents had a chance to comment on the current COVID-19 guidelines for students.
The current plan follows the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health District's COVID-19 Risk Dial.
As of Monday, NPS is in a revised 'Yellow' plan which now requires both students and staff to wear masks.
During public comment, parents and teachers were divided on the issue, some wanting a hybrid plan if the school district moves into the 'Orange' level.
Others, wanting students to be in school as much as possible, by looking at each school building on a case-by-case basis.
"Wouldn't it be better to look at numbers of positive cases and exposures that are happening within an NPS building and make a decision on remote learning or an A/B schedule based on school location as we did with Lincoln Montessori," says NPS Teacher Beth Schoenherr.
Superintendent Jami Jo Thompson says she's comfortable postponing a possible move into the "orange" level until the committee can gather more information.
"Our numbers are very low and in fact have been decreasing in recent weeks since we implemented the mask mandate. So I feel safe postponing that until we are able to get information back from the committee," Dr. Thompson says.
The Board voted 4-0 to re-convene the COVID-19 back-to-school planning committee to re-evaluate the "Orange" level guidelines.
As of Monday, the district won't be transitioning to a hybrid learning model.