Decorah School Board unanimously approves the proposed hybrid Return-to-Learn plan

The Decorah School Board had a special meeting Monday evening to discuss the proposed hybrid Return-to-Learn plan for the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year. The Board voted unanimously for its approval.

With the plan, preschool through 8th grade students will be divided up into two groups.  One group will attend on-site classes Mondays, Tuesdays, and every other Wednesday, while the other designated group will attend on-site classes the Wednesdays opposite the first group, Thursdays, and Fridays. Groups will be formed after online school registration takes place. The district aims to keep members of the same family/household in the same group.

For students entering 9th through 12th grade, the week will be divided up similarly.  9th and 10th grade students will attend onsite classes Mondays, Tuesdays, and every other Wednesday.  11th and 12th grade students will participate in onsite learning on Wednesdays alternating with the 9th and 10th graders, and every Thursday and Friday.

For each grade level, this plan allows for 50% of the students' learning to be face-to-face over a two week time frame, which is the minimum of in-person learning required by Governor Kim Reynold's mid-July proclamation.

In addition to a new schedule for classes, parents and students can expect a few other changes as the school year begins.  One major change is face coverings. Because of significant changes in recommendations from the CDC, face masks will be required once a student gets on any school transportation and will be worn throughout the school day.  Superintendent Mark Lane commented, "A face covering is one of our greatest lines of defense for having all students be able to come back for the year. But we will be as flexible as we can for students and staff to take a break from having to wear face masks the entire day."  

As the discussion wrapped up, Director Ben Lange said, "This plan is balancing safety with all the social and emotional aspects that are needed for the students."

School Board President Ron Fadness concluded the evening, saying, "I think this is making the best of a bad situation, and I think what we are doing is what is best for our community and our students. Nothing can address all the different circumstances, and I commend the amount of work that has been put in to this plan. Everyone involved has gone above and beyond their normal summer duties."