Lebanon School Board discusses how they will proceed for the rest of the 2021 school year

The Lebanon R-3 School Board gathered for a special meeting to determine how they are going to proceed for the rest of the school year. The meeting was opened for public comment. Robin Angst addressed the board and shared information on how the hybrid learning environment is affecting students and her child, asking the board to move to at least 4 in person school days a week

Student Council members addressed the board on behalf of students, saying that after conducting a survey it was concluded that 65 percent of the students felt they were best served with the hybrid schedule. Public comments also revealed that some parents want their students back in school full time. Resident and former school board member John Carr wants students to go back to a full in-person school week…

The Board considered substitute teacher availability, with 5 of the last 10 days being at 100 percent fill. Superintendent David Schmitz then addressed the board. Quarantine rates are currently up.

Board President Jason Riggs asked the school nurses “is the district able to follow the guidelines” to which the answer was no because students would not be masked at lunch and in p.e. They also said it could be February before teachers and staff will be able to get the vaccine. According to the nurse, 50 percent of the students in quarantine were exposed at school, with the majority exposures being in the cafeteria, in the gym, and at extracurricular activities.
High School Principal Kevin Lowery said the hybrid model of learning was meant to be a temporary situation.. He said they have a plan to reduce the spread of the virus including steps to keep students and staff healthy and he said when it’s time for students to go back to school full time, they will be ready. Lowery said they would go to a block schedule, and he addressed the concern about exposure during lunchtime.

His proposal also included 100 percent masking and disciplinary action for those who don’t wear a mask. In the plan presented by Lowery, if or when the school goes back to a 5 day week they will be given the option to enroll in Launch.
At the conclusion of the comment portions of the meeting and before the vote. The Board asked for a recommendation from Superintendent David Schmitz…

Following the Superintendents recommendation, the board voted, and with 1 no, they approved staying with the current hybrid learning model at the High School and Pre-K through 8th grade staying with 4 days in class and 1 virtual.