GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – More Green Bay School students are making their return to the classroom. Seventh, eighth, and 10-12 grades are back in a hybrid model. Students are in-person two days a week and virtual three days a week.
The School Board met last night to discuss what it would take to bring them back four days a week.
It comes after almost a year of virtual learning. Green Bay students are back in the classroom, partially.
“It feels good, I get more of a learning experience,” said Washington Middle seventh grader, Javon Crayton.
But, a push to get students back in the classroom more than 2 days a week continues.
GBAPS parent, Barbara Coniff said during public forum, “we’re not done yet. We have waited a long time that means we have even more rigorous action.”
Members agreed to let the administration take 2 weeks to assess each individual middle and high school’s situation and plans. And find their own individual dates to return 4 days in-person. Instead of setting a single district-wide date.
It’s an idea from Board President Eric Vanden Heuvel.
“If Preble science department is short handed I don’t want that to hold back Lombardi Middle School from coming back.”
Some board members favored waiting the two weeks to feel out how the return in a hybrid model goes.
“We haven’t even had Thursday/Friday cohorts in the classroom, how do we know what went well or what needs to be fixed,” said board member Dawn Smith.
Superintendent Stephen Murley says social distancing and staffing issues are a concern.
“Having enough players on the field to run the game, had some struggle last week. Some relief coming getting vaccinated”
As for basing decisions off burden rate, the board says it’s not the only factor to consider opening.
“Rather than have ‘oh 75 we can’t open,’ let’s use some more information to make those decisions,” said member Brenda Warren.
As for next year, Superintendent Murley says they are assuming they will be in person five days a week.
The board will meet on March 22 to discuss individual plans for schools to return four days a week.
