Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Students return to school for the 2016-2017 school year. The current school year hasn't been so care-free.
COLFAX — Schools Superintendent Jerry Pugh said Monday he intends for all students to be back for daily, in-person learning Feb. 1.
Addressing the School Board – which will need to formally approve of the idea at its Jan. 25 meeting – Pugh noted the district's experience with elementary students this fall, in-person full-time, new research and available data, discussions with interim County Health Director Chris Skidmore, the teachers union and more, all of which have led him to bringing all students back on campus.
"The No. 1 focus is first and foremost, the safety of students and staff," Pugh said.
Grades 7-12 returned to part-time, in-person learning in October.
Pugh reiterated "one substantial issue" with the virus this fall with one sport's practices, after which the program was stopped.
He noted that after Thanksgiving, little-to-no change occurred regarding the virus. Since Christmas, up to 25 students and adults are being tested and staying home, some of whom have tested positive.
In looking at how to bring back all students, high school Principal David Gibb and Maintenance Supervisor Mark Brown went around the building, measuring spaces in 6-foot increments.
"We could fit kids in the classrooms and keep them socially distant," Pugh said.
For the question of lunch, after more measuring and discussion, Gibb and Brown helped form a draft plan to use the mezzanine level in the gym as an extra eating space.
On a given day, freshman would eat in the mezzanine, while sophomores and juniors convene in the cafeteria.
Seniors would then take the mezzanine for their lunch session.
The new STEAM room would also be used for extra classroom space - to keep kids' desks and work stations 6 feet apart, or "5-feet-10 inches," Pugh noted in some cases.
Also, part of the plan is to close the junior high and senior high commons areas. Students are required to wear masks at all times except eating.
"Research shows that it is safe for kids to be in school," Pugh said.
He noted that older kids have a higher likelihood to transmit the virus and cited that in Whitman County, no person age 0-19 has been hospitalized with COVID-19.
He mentioned a Jan. 4 news release from the Health Department and that there are people in the community who have lost someone to the virus.
"My heart goes out to those families," Pugh said.
In further comments, he said that the school's remodeling and re-construction project's fully new HVAC system will be an advantage with its ability to adjust circulation of air from outside.
The state may recommend shutting down if hospitalizations reach a certain level.
Pugh will send a letter out to parents this week.
"The staff have done an impressive, impressive job, but we know our best work is with kids in school," Pugh said.
Student counts
Also at Monday's meeting, the board got the district's January enrollment report of 522 full-time equivalent students, up two from December, but still 19 under the budget projection from last summer.
"I do have somewhat of a concern," Pugh said. "I'm nervous about losing any more FTEs."
State funding of schools is based on these estimates in the summer, which are then adjusted in January to reflect the true numbers.
"Now, we have to return the money for the students who didn't show up," Pugh said.
School Board President Terry Huber asked him about staff immunizations.
Pugh said he will survey staff on whether they want to get vaccinated.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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