Though no changes were made to district guidelines, a member of one Triad family asked the Board of Education to tighten COVID precautions in hopes that students can stay in school this year.
“We are doing nothing to keep the schools open,” said Linda Bauder. “My question is: How bad does it have to get?”
Bauder said her grandson learned virtually throughout first grade last year. She said their family’s goal was for him to be back in school for second grade.
“We were very excited about starting the school year with in-school learning, but now I’m rethinking that decision,” she said.
Bauder questioned why fewer precautions are in place during this academic year than last year.
The district had a mask mandate in place during the 2020-21 school year and was able to maintain in-person learning through much of year, even while other districts went hybrid or fully virtual.
Triad currently does not have a mask mandate in place.
“COVID is worse this year than last year when it started,” Bauder said, referencing increased case counts statewide.
Despite this, Bauder said “we started school with no safety measures for students or their families.”
Although her grandchildren wear masks to school, Bauder said she understands that not every parent wants their child to do so. Without a mask mandate, though, she said there needs to be stronger social distancing and sanitizing standards.
Bauder said she is concerned that her grandson’s second grade class is organized into “pods” in which four to six desks are clumped together. Additionally, she said the entire class will sit on a rug together for story-times and other activities.
Superintendent Vickie Hoffman acknowledged that students are separated into pods. She said this ensures that, if one student is infected, only those in his or her pod would be required to be quarantined.
She said story-times are limited to 15 minutes or less so students do not have extended close contact with each other.
In response to a question from Board member Mike Perry, Hoffman said the district’s social distancing guidelines are three feet rather than the initial six foot recommendation. She said employees and students strive to maintain three feet whenever possible.
Bauder disagreed with her evaluation.
“We might be social distancing, but I don’t see it in this school,” she said.
Bauder said feeling as though pods slow the spread is flawed, as the virus “comes home to us.”
Hoffman, who wore a mask at the meeting, emphasized that Triad is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local health department.
According to information last updated Sept. 17, Triad has experienced 73 cumulative cases of COVID-19 while 40 students and staff members are currently quarantined.
The high school has seen the most cases, at 36, followed by the middle school with 15, and the elementary with seven. Ohio Hi-Point has had just one case. Among staff members, 14 have tested positive.
Bauder said she feels those numbers are particularly high for a “small school.”
Board president Chris Millice told Bauder her points were “well-taken,” and the district may choose to take more restrictive measures if the numbers or public health agencies dictate it.
In the meantime, he said he feels Triad is doing the best they can under the circumstances.
“It’s all subjective on who you are and what you believe in,” Millice said regarding potential COVID-related mandates.
In other business:
– The Board unanimously approved a $500 signing bonus for new bus drivers within the district. Hoffman said the measure is in response to a nationwide shortage of drivers, which Triad has also experienced.