Washington High School students could move to online learning

WASHINGTON - High school students in the Washington Community School District may soon have to return to learning as the school board approved the district applying for online learning.

Superintendent Willie Stone said during the meeting Wednesday night virtual learning would only be required for high school students because they have been trained on the online learning system. The students also are of age that if they need to drive to a new location for Wi-Fi access, they can do so.

'We're doing something in a year and a half that the Des Moines Public School District took two years to do,” he said of trying to establish an online system.

Learning curves will be present, he said, but will be worked through quickly. The district first has to apply to the state Department of Education for permission before proceeding.

Students in preschool-eigth grade will have voluntary learning available to them, he said. Because internet access is a concern, it will not be mandatory as it would be for high school students.

'That gives people the option to get online. Our teachers will be online and teaching but it will not be graded or required,” he said.

To help with the issue of internet access, the board approved the purchase of 50 hot spots for the district. Lincoln and Stewart Elementaries have weaker access, he said, and these hot spots will be installed there to help improve access. Additional hot spots will be placed in the west parking lot of Washington Community High School as Washington Middle School is reported as having reliable access.

Although school will not be in session until at least April 30, per the governor's recommendation, teachers will continue to be paid. Stone said the recently developed CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security) Act encourages districts to continue to pay teachers as not to flood the unemployment offices.

The district also will continue to provide lunches to all children under the age of 18 in the community. More than 3,500 meals were served this week, he said.