WBSCD plots reopening

PRIEST RIVER — The West Bonner County School District began plotting the reopening of its schools on Wednesday.

The district's three-phase reopening plan aligns closely with the categories of community spread as defined by the Panhandle Health District.

Schools will operate as normal, but with social distancing and mask recommendations, under Category 1, when community spread is none (green) to minimal (yellow).

If community spread increases to moderate (orange), the district will adopt a hybrid schedule under Category 2 in which students will attend school on alternating days with a mixture of in-school instruction and at-home instruction. Based on conditions, this phase can involve a cluster of schools or district-wide.

If community spread increases to Category 3 (red), the district will shutter schools to all students and shift to remote learning, which could involve a single school, cluster of schools or all schools within the district.

The school district's plan is meant to allow it to respond quickly if local, state or national conditions warrant.

Schools are set to reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8 under Category 1, according to Superintendent Paul Anselmo.

Anselmo said classrooms will be arranged to achieve social distancing and staff will be required to wear masks. Masks for students will be optional.

"It's highly recommended for students," Anselmo said of the Category 1 mask guidance.

Masks will be required for both staff and students if conditions elevate to Category 2 if social distancing cannot be achieved, according to Anselmo.

Anselmo said it's unclear how many students the district expects to see returning to school, but it is anticipating a 5-percent reduction in enrollment. However, Anselmo said some students are withdrawing from school, while others are signing up for in-class instruction.

A survey of parents found majority support for returning to in-class instruction, Anselmo said.

Students with internet connections, meanwhile, can opt for entirely remote instruction, which will be conducted by the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. The district is recommending students choose between in-class or remote learning.

"We don't want to see them bouncing back and forth," said Anselmo.

Anselmo said the district is doing what it can to provide a safe learning environment.

"We're certainly doing everything we can to keep students safe," Anselmo said.