Decorah School Board approves returning to in-person classes on Monday

Posted: Wed, Sep 23, 2020 6:37 PM

The Decorah School District's "Return to Learn Plan" approved in August set a goal of on-site learning for all students beginning Monday, September 28th. Because of a vote Wednesday night by the five members of the Decorah School Board, that goal will be reached.

Decorah School Board President Ron Fadness told a special school board meeting Wednesday night that there's a consensus emerging that returning to in-classroom instruction is a good idea. "Virtual instruction isn't working for everybody," he said, adding that he fears some students risk falling through the cracks and being left behind.

Superintendent Mark Lane says school officials "have planned for a variety of options," but set next Monday as a date when in-classroom instruction could resume if COVID-19 numbers allowed. Since August 18th, there have been four positive COVID-19 cases among the district's 1,575 students and five positive cases among the 290 full-time and part-time school district staff. 16 staff members and 115 students have gone through isolation or quarantine.

Lane told school board members it "is difficult to find win/win solutions," but said resuming full-time in-classroom instruction was a goal school officials had targeted.