BY SYDNEY HOOVER
All three Eudora schools will return to in-person learning in their own hybrid models selected by school staff and administrators after School Board members voted 5-2 Wednesday to approve the plans.
Eudora Elementary will remain in the modified in-person model used by all schools prior to moving remote Nov. 17. The high school will return to the A/B hybrid model used at the beginning of the school year and the middle school will opt for a new ‘cohort’ model in which students remain in the same classroom all day while joining Zooms for each class as they would at home in remote learning.
“We worked really, really hard to try and be responsive and adaptive,” Superintendent Steve Splichal said.
Middle School Principal Jeremy Thomas said the school wanted to move into a new hybrid model not yet tried in the district based on unique situations among its students. Thomas said 79 students, excluding those who opted for all remote learning, were failing two or more classes — an increase of 50 students since remote learning began. He’s also had to report multiple students for truancy.
Thomas identified a number of benefits from the cohort system, particularly that it would allow a teacher to be present to help students navigate their classes and ensure they attend each period. Because students would stay in the same classroom with their assigned cohort all day, the school would also be able to limit contact tracing and ensure 6-foot distancing.
“We have many students that are struggling,” Thomas said. “By having them in this cohort model we can make sure they are on and teachers are working with them and they are with a certified teacher at all times.”
Elementary Principal Susan Tinich said the school opted for the modified in-person to keep students in a classroom with their original teachers. High School Principal Ron Abel said his staff preferred the A/B model because it would allow students to social distance while avoiding a cohort system that he felt would not work well for the older students.
While board members were familiar with the modified in-person and A/B models, most had questions regarding the cohort model and its sustainability for the middle school.
Board President Eric Votaw said he felt the cohorts would take away from the quality of learning among students and advocated for as close to normal schooling as possible throughout the meeting.
“That is heartbreaking that our kids are struggling to learn,” Votaw said. “I think there would be a great deal of excitement for all kids to be able to return. I think most kids want to return. I think families for the most part would like to return.”
Votaw said he believes the continued changes in learning models is negatively affecting students and how engaged they are in their classes.
The board initially voted on moving all three schools back to the modified in-person as they were from the end of September through mid-November. The motion failed 3-4, with Mark Chrislip, Mike Kelso, Samantha Arredondo and Becky Plate voting no.
The original proposals from each building principal ultimately passed following the failed motion. Votaw and Lynn Reazin were the only two members voting no on the second motion.
The three hybrid models will begin Monday, with the county currently considered in the orange phase. If Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health moves the county into the yellow phase at any time, the district has the ability to switch all three schools back to the modified in-person leaning model.
Wednesdays will remain remote days to give district staff a chance to disinfect buildings. Families also still have the option to move their students to remote learning if they feel risks of being in-person are too high.
Reach reporter Sydney Hoover at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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