WACO approves return-to-learn plan

WAYLAND - Following lengthy discussion about a potential face-covering requirement, the WACO Community School District school board approved a return-to-learn plan that would see students return in a 100 percent face-to-face model and leave use of face coverings to the discretion of parents and students.

The board met in a special meeting on Wednesday evening to approve the plans recommended by the school administration. Two plans - one for the elementary school building and one for the junior and high school - were approved in a 3-2 vote without any revisions. Board members Tom Gerot and Jared Achen voted against the approval.

Before the board's discussion about the plans, several teachers and parents gave public comments about the potential face-covering policy.

Fifth-grade teacher Angela Ayrit asked the board to consider changing language in the plan to require face coverings when 6 feet social distancing is not possible or choose to begin with a hybrid learning plan which would see less students in the building each day and allow for students to more easily space out.

She added she felt allowing masks to be optional 'is a reckless decision that fails to provide a safe environment for teachers and the children in [their] care.”

District parent Tim Egli pushed back against a potential requirement citing a '96-plus percent survival rate” and urged the board to 'dare to step out and take a risk.”

He added he felt students should not be made into 'puppets” and forced to follow a mask rule.

During the board's discussion, building principals Emily Settles and Tim Bartels said students would not be able to socially distance in certain rooms. Settles reported elementary students would be spending approximately 20 percent of their day in areas that would allow for 6 feet of distance.

Bartels, who walked through each of his building's classrooms, said about 40 percent of the classrooms would 'make it very difficult to physically distance.”

Settles and Bartels, who were both members of the return-to-learn teams, said the language included in the plans were derived from discussions and the recommendation of local public health departments. Both plans say 'face masks are recommended for all students and staff, especially if physical distancing of 6+ feet is not possible.”

Both building principals gave an overview of other mitigation tactics the schools plan to use, including installing dividers in classrooms where social distancing is not available, use of hands free hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant foggers which would be used on buses and classrooms every morning.

Board member Tom Gerot said he was in support of requiring some sort of face covering and was feeling apprehensive about schools returning 100 percent face-to-face. Board member Jared Achen also expressed concern about how not requiring masks could potentially affect the district's ability to remain open and avoid an outbreak.

Board member Megan Waterhouse noted it would be a lot to ask kids, especially elementary students, to properly handle a mask. She said the district should 'let [students] be kids” and the situation with the coronavirus was 'no different from influenza.”

Following approval of the plans, board member Tom Graber said he hopes to see parents encouraging their students to wear masks and that the decision would 'not divide the district.”