District Weighing Options On Return

The Bourbon School District is weighing reentry options for the 2020-21 school year, with five-day and four-day schedules possible.

Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs said they are waiting on a follow-up survey before proceeding.

Bourbon could go to a four-day schedule with Wednesdays off. The district had initially planned to move to a four-day week before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The amount of time spent in class would be the same with either a four-day or five-day schedule.

"There are lots of details to be worked out," said Gibbs, who was meeting last week with area superintendents. 

He cautioned that a four-day week would not necessarily save Bourbon from an outbreak. The main rationale is about giving students proper instruction.

Online instruction had "a rocky transition," and Gibbs said that was seen all across the country. 

"We can't go into it without the proper preparation," he said. "We may have a few weeks where we have to close."

Virtual learning comes with hurdles, including making sure that all students have decent Internet. In a rural area, that's not always the standard.

Gibbs said some parents have already said they won't be bringing their children back.

"There are a lot of people still concerned," he said.

Parent Survey

According to the results of a parent survey, 41.6 percent are comfortable with minimal or no concerns. In comparison, 38.4 percent are comfortable with concerns.

Another 20 percent are not at all comfortable.

A plurality — 49.4 percent — want to see a return to in-person class. Another 33.1 percent want a blended approach with in-person and online instruction, while another 17.6 percent are most comfortable with online instruction.

The district solicited responses on what would make them more comfortable as schools are reopened. More than 200 said increased cleaning, hygiene, and monitoring/tracking symptoms.

There were 146 responses for social distancing procedures.

Sixty-nine responses came in for no concerns, and 47 responses said nothing would make them more comfortable.

Bourbon also solicited a staff survey, and a majority — 52.6 percent — said they are comfortable with concerns.

Another 35.8 percent said they are comfortable with minimal or no concerns, and 11.6 percent said they are not comfortable.

A plurality — 37.9 percent said they might wear a mask this year. Another 36.8 percent of staffers said they would not, and 25.3 percent said they would.

Staff were closely divided on whether Bourbon should hold in-person classes or a blended approach. Of those, 47.4 percent said Bourbon should do in-person, 46.3 percent said blended, and 6.3 percent said it should be online.

Staffers were asked to provide their greatest concerns.

"My biggest concern is having to shut down without a plan in place, similar to what happened last year. While I prefer in person school I think we need to have a good plan for teachers to execute at home schooling and prepare students for that possibility," said one staffer.

"When infection DOES hit students or staff what will the quarantine protocol. How will this affect student attendance and teacher sick days especially new teachers who don't have many days?" said another staffer.

One staffer said it is overblown.

"Following guidelines I don't think are necessary and putting fear in students and adults!"

A handful of other staffers said they have no concerns.