New Bloomfield R-3 School District Superintendent Sarah Wisdom updated the Board of Education on Wednesday morning on several issues related to the end of the COVID-19 shutdown.
Though K-12 students will not be returning to school, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has indicated plans to reopen the state once the stay-at-home order expires May 3.
During the virtual meeting, Wisdom explained to the school board the district was considering bringing teachers back to school for the last couple weeks of the year with precautions.
"They left thinking we were coming back," Wisdom said. "You know, rooms aren't packed up, kids' stuff is still here. We just have some things that we need to do."
If the teachers come back, the district would be sure to limit contact between people - teachers would work from their classrooms, entrances would be restricted, and numbers in communal areas and workrooms would be limited.
With many folks returning to work next week, the board heard about plans to reopen preschool. Wisdom outlined preventive procedures such as limiting drop-offs and pick-ups, screening temperatures of children and staff, and cleaning spaces and toys.
"I think those kids probably really could benefit from being back in preschool," board member Amy Pendleton said.
The board also discussed plans for graduation.
"The feedback I got from the parents was they want it as normal as possible," Wisdom said. "And I understand that, but nothing is normal right now."
Graduation is currently scheduled for May 15.
"There's some districts that are waiting until June or July to have graduation," Wisdom said. "I don't love that idea because we do have some that are going to the military, we have one that's going to welding school. So, I mean, I don't want a kid to miss out. And we still could have the same regulations in June or July."
To protect families and adhere to safety guidelines, Wisdom explained the potential solution of holding multiple ceremonies.
With this plan, the graduates and would be separated into smaller groups, determined alphabetically, and brought into the gym one by one. Individuals would be spaced out inside, and graduates would hear from their valedictorian and salutatorian before walking across the stage to pick up their diploma and awards.
"I'd like to explore that avenue and see what they come up with the end of this week and maybe put out a statement to the parents next week," Wisdom said.
Wisdom asked the board for input.
"I think it sounds like a plan - a workable plan," board member Debbie Cuno said.
Though there were some concerns about the feasability of keeping families from interacting in the parking lot and gathering to take pictures, the board members were supportive.
"The only suggestion I have is that you make the guidelines for all that really clear because what typically happens, can't happen," Pendleton said.