Mid-Prairie board elects 100 percent in-person classes

After a Monday night meeting and public forum, the Mid-Prairie school board voted to have 100 percent in-person schooling with a mask requirement for all.

After a two and a half hour meeting with approximately 300 people watching virtually and 145 to 150 people in attendance, the school board made its final decision to go against what the school administration recommended.

The board voted unanimously in favor of returning 100 percent in-person learning on Aug. 24. Parent who do not feel comfortable returning the students to the classroom have the option for Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy and the Home School Assistance Program.

When discussing returning, the board had questions about:

' Social distancing.

' Spaced out classrooms.

' Indicators for when to change the plan.

' Face mask enforcement.

When discussing face masks, there were different opinions on whether or not students of all ages should be required to wear masks, or only those over a certain age or grade level.

The board voted 4-2 in favor of mandatory face covering with a note that they will revisit the topic on Sept. 28 to make adjustments if needed.

Jeremy Pickard said there are assumptions that there would be some sort of waiver for those who can't wear masks and an enforcement policy.

'At this point in time, based on the motion, I don't know enough to vote yes or no for that, but I would be leaning on probably a no vote just because I need a little more information to make that decision,” Pickard said.

A variety of individuals spoke during the hourlong open forum, including teachers and parents, discussing their concerns for both the safety of the teachers and the well-being of the students on many different levels.

One of the speakers read a prepared letter from 64 district employees. In the letter, it was said that the employees do not feel safe returning and the risk of infection is too high.

Many parents voiced concerns about the previous school year and the impact it had on the student's abilities to progress in their education, as well as their social and mental well-being.

Each of the board members was asked to present a statement, many saying that the last week has been difficult and they had taken into consideration many of the letters and emails sent to them.

After the decision Monday night, the administration team met Tuesday morning to discuss the issue and plan to release information for the parents to consider their options before registration, said district Business Manager Jeff Swartzentruber.

Swartzentruber said they have been working closely with the Washington County Public Health and figuring out what date they will use as benchmarks, such as how many students or staff are out of school due to being infected or quarantined.