Aug. 18, 2020 8:03; Updated 9p with vote; Rewritten with new information and quotes at 11:05p; Edited at 11:30p for clarity
(WGTD)---In a dramatic reversal, the Kenosha School Board rescinded a decision made July 28th and will offer in-person learning as an option to start the school year. The board had previously voted to start the year in an on-line only mode.
Tuesday night's unanimous decision means that parents will receive an email this week asking them to choose an option. In order to give staff time to prepare, classes will be delayed two weeks and won't start until Sept. 14th.
The board also decided to allow low-risk fall sports to begin next week with high-risk sports--such as volleyball and football--to begin practice Sept. 7th. Football games could start as early as Sept. 21st.
The motions that were approved Tuesday night include a warning: The Board reserves the right to reconsider in-person teaching if the coronavirus numbers start to soar again.
In recent weeks, the rate of new cases in Kenosha County has been dropping.
That was a point cited by Board President Tom Duncan as he first broached the idea Tuesday night of changing course. Back in July, Duncan was the first to squash detailed plans that had been worked out by staff to offer in-person learning as an option along with remote instruction.
Duncan's change of heart was based in part on an apparent new faith that students, staff and the public in general will be motivated to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
Board member Rebecca Stevens was more direct in a message to the two-dozen parents and students who asked the board at the beginning of the meeting--sometimes not so politely-- to reverse course. "Go out and tell all of your friends and family members and people that are going out and partying in these large groups to knock it off so your kids can go back to school," she said. "That's one of the best things you can possibly do for us."
Stevens acknowledged that the board's earlier decision against opening up the buildings didn't have broad support. Duncan also said he had read "hundreds" of email from parents and students asking for the in-person option.
Plans to return to in-person teaching as an option apparently didn't come together until just a few hours before the board meeting.
The Kenosha Education Association, citing the high number of virus cases, had lobbied for virtual only. Teachers who believe it's too dangerous for them to teach in front of students will be asked to consult with their building principal.
There's no indication that Racine Unified will follow Kenosha's lead. The Racine School Board received another briefing Monday night on the district's plan to begin the new year totally online. The board then reviewed an administration decision to push fall sports to spring.
-0-