Back to School: Everything Is Subject to Change

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

With the first day of school a little more than a month and a half away (August 20, 2020) there have been a number of questions concerning what school might look like and how it will accommodate for the impact of COVID-19. The answer is very dynamic and will change and grow as the impact of COVID-19 changes.

Montana is a "local control" state. The best and final public decision are made by the school district administration, local school boards and community stakeholders who know and understand the unique needs of their local community. At this time the District is preparing for multiple scenarios. We are not sure what restrictions may exist come August.

On August 3, 2020 the District will begin to finalize a proposal for the August 10, 2020 Regular Board Meeting. At that time, the District will set forth a process for reopening school. After talking with other superintendents here in the South Eastern part of Montana, they too are hesitant to develop a scenario for school due to the ever changing status of the pandemic. 

As to what the scenarios might look like, Elsie Arntzen, the Montana Superintendent of Instruction, put together several committees to assist in developing K-12 public schools reopening guidelines. They have developed four scenarios.  Four scenarios are included as guidance examples. Following state directives, individual districts in consultation with local health authorities should determine which scenarios best fit their local situations.

• Scenario 1: Buildings Closed: All students remote learning.
• Scenario 2: A limited number of students present in school building, with remote learning occurring for students who are off-site
• Scenario 3: Increased capacity/number of students in the school building, limiting number of activities to allow for continued physical distancing, and continued remote learning for students who are off-site
• Scenario 4: Near full capacity and full operations, continued vigilance in health and safety best practices, with remote learning for students who are off-site

The details for these scenarios are detailed in OPI's document called: Reopening Montana School Guidance. Here you can find out what schools might look like across Montana depending on the the status of COVID-19 as well as the directives from the Governor and Montana health agencies. You can find out more at the Montana COVID-19 Task Force website. 

As much as I would like to tell you what school will look like, there is no way to do that at this time; however, given the reopening guidelines provided by the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), it will give you and idea of the considerations that are being made. With that I want to share a disclaimer by the Montana Office of Public Instruction in regards to their published document. I believe it certainly captures the current status of educational planning:

*Disclaimer: Any information appearing in this document regarding COVID-19 is subject to change. This document is a guidance document composed by Montana education stakeholders. The guidance is dynamic and will change and grow as the impact of COVID-19 changes. This document is not a legal document or an exhaustive list of actions that will need to be considered. This document is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice, requirements, or mandate. The information, samples, templates, tips, and techniques provided in this document are intended solely as examples of practices, do not impose, or imply legal or regulatory requirements, and may not apply to all situations based upon circumstances. This document does not substitute for any law, or regulations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other public health messages or guidance.

Like always, be safe, be healthy and be kind.

Have a SUPER day!

MAKE DUST COLTS AND FILLIES!