GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It has been nearly four weeks of virtual learning for Green Bay students. And the school board is deciding what measurements to follow to resume in-person learning.
The gating criteria for Green Bay Area Public Schools students to return to class currently is this: “We would not consider returning students into the classroom until we’ve reached 5% positivity or less in the testing ratio,” said Superintendent Stephen Murley.
Now with some guidance from CDC, the district has some different options to consider. There are five levels, ranging from lowest to highest risk of transmission.
“The presumption is when you’re in the lower or lowest category,” said Murley. “We would have on site instruction for students.”
The moderate category would suggest hybrid model. The higher and highest would continue to be off site.
These indications are based on coronavirus burden, positive test percentages and the ability to mitigate spread in schools.
Murley said, “my hope would be this is the type of framework that can be adopted not just by our school district but be considered by other education entities.”
Some school board members say the guidelines are helpful, but won’t let students come back anytime soon. They want to explore modifying the CDC guidelines.
Board member Andrew Becker said, “I really don’t think we will ever et to the dark green because we would have to get to, that would be roughly one person per day in Brown County getting it.”
However, other members believe the guidelines should remain as close as possible to the district framework. And that it’s up to the community to help slow the spread.
Board member Dawn Smith said, “I don’t think that’s an impossible metric. There will be places that get there. If we can’t get to that level I would argue that’s because of us as a community.”
Most school board members emphasized relying on burden rate over percent of positive tests, as well. The administration will draft up motions for a possible vote on October 12th.
The board also recommended the administration uses the the State COVID-19 dashboard versus Brown County’s dashboard.
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