Salt Lake City schools will start online only this fall, with plans to return in person “as soon as it’s safe”

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The move, approved by the district’s board of education on Thursday, is a reaction to the large number of coronavirus infections that continue to plague the Utah capital. After more than two hours of discussion, members decided it was less risky to keep children home for at least the first month of this fall.

“Getting our children back to the classroom is important,” board chair Melissa Ford said in the virtual meeting. “And we intend to do it as soon as it is safe.”

The decision came in a much calmer meeting than the chaos that colored the board’s debate on the issue last week, which ended in a dead end. However, one member, Michael Nemelka, still voted against the plan on Thursday at the 6-1 list. And, with his camera turned off this time, he said he will continue to believe that teachers who want to continue remote instruction are “lazy.”

Ford and others rejected that observation.

Schools in the city will now begin online on September 8, with a two-week delay to give teachers, parents, and students time to prepare. The district intends to monitor cases of the virus to determine when a return to the classroom can safely occur. Any reopening will be aligned with the middle mark or at the end of a quarter so as not to interrupt classes and grading. The first quarter ends on October 30.

To return, Acting Superintendent Larry Madden said the district is seeking two benchmarks. He said the average positivity rate in the largest county should be 5% of those tested. Currently, it is at 9.32%. The district is also observing cases per 100,000 people. To reopen it will have to be below 10. Right now it is at 17.9.

“We want to start the year cautiously,” Madden said during a press conference after the meeting. “Our goal is to maintain a balance between the health and safety of our students and their education.”

The board’s 13-page plan also explains what a hybrid or in-person return would look like when it is possible to return.

However, even with online classes, sports in the district may resume. And those who need extra help can schedule individual meetings with their teachers or a counselor, Madden said.

Now all educators have been trained on the best methods for teaching remotely. And all materials are centralized on one district-wide website so families don’t have to discover multiple platforms. Additionally, the school district has purchased 6,000 more laptops for those who do not have access to computers at home, and is working to ensure that all students have Internet connections, one of the major equity issues in staying online.

Nearly 1,500 parents and teachers watched the discussion on Thursday. When it was announced that the decision would continue virtually, the comment section erupted with “What a relief!” And thanks! “And” well done! “

The Salt Lake City School District has been a focal point for the state when it comes to reopening schools. The district is the only one to remain in an area, in the capital city, that is still considered “orange,” or at moderate risk of coronavirus spread. Under that state, classes are supposed to be delivered remotely.

Madden said he appreciates the comments from both sides and has helped the district make what he described as “the most difficult decision possible.”

Most of the board supported the plan. Member Nate Salazar said he loves that he is “rooted in science.” Member Katherine Kennedy added that most of the constituents she has heard of are in favor.

Others asked questions about how the district would specifically help the most vulnerable students and joined in voting on the plan when they heard the answer. Sandra Buendia, executive director of educational equity and student support for the district, said that children who are learning English, have disabilities, are refugees or simply need a safe space will be a focus. The district will send staff to every household it needs, especially those that have been most difficult to reach, to ensure that students have what they need to start classes.

All students and parents will have the option to meet with their teachers in the two weeks prior to the start of school. And they can use that time to advocate for their needs. In addition, the district will do evaluations of each child to see who might be behind after spring and could use more attention, Buendía said.

The breakfast and lunch programs will also continue for families.

At one point during the discussion, member Michelle Tuitupou asked, “How will you work with working parents?” And Nemelka, the board member who called the teachers “lazy,” laughed.

Last week, during the board debate, he had played solitaire on a second computer screen, which could be seen on the live stream, and many residents were upset. This week, when it was his turn to speak, he declared that he was not going to turn on his camera because of that. “So you don’t have my picture now,” he said.

Nemelka, a retired teacher, went on to say that he did not understand why educators were unwilling to return to the classroom. He compared them to firefighters, doctors and supermarket workers who worked during the pandemic “despite the danger.”

“They have courage and we applaud them for it. So why do some teachers not want to take their place in front of the classroom? I ask. “For those teachers who fear the life you live, you should take a look.”

He said that in-person instruction is the most important part of the job. “I still believe that teaching online is a lazy way to teach K-12,” he added.

As he spoke, some in the comments asked him to resign. Nemelka’s seat is available for election this year, with one person, Jenny Sika, running against him.

Ford had started the meeting on Thursday by saying it was inappropriate how the board’s discussion went last week, largely signaling concerns with Nemelka, as well as Kennedy pushing to end the debate at exactly 6 p.m. because he had other plans. Students, Ford said, should be the board’s priority.

“Last week, other personal priorities and concerns took that focus away from him,” he said. “These kinds of distractions don’t take place at a board meeting.”

At this time, he said, the main concern is keeping students safe. While many prefer in-person teaching and see it as the most effective way for children to learn, Ford added, it is too dangerous in current city conditions.

But the district is still preparing for when it might be safest to open by adjusting air systems in schools, installing sanitation stations in playgrounds, and putting up Plexiglas barriers. Because going back, Ford said, is the goal.

The school plan states: “It is not in the best interest of our students or families to proceed indefinitely with a single remote option, nor is that our intention.”