By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
New directives from Gov. Mike DeWine may have an impact on when Bowling Green City School students return to their classrooms.
Bowling Green Superintendent Francis Scruci and other superintendents will meet Monday with Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison to talk about new state guidance easing COVID-19 standards for schools.
In a weekly press conference last week, DeWine shared new information from studies about the spread of the virus in schools. The studies indicate that as long as masks are being worn it is safe for students and staff to return to school in some form.
Scruci sent out a letter to parents on Friday letting them know that classes will remain remote when students return from the holiday break on Tuesday.
“Based on the matrix developed and approved by the Board of Education, we will continue to educate our students remotely,” Scruci wrote.
However, Scruci added that the Monday meeting with Robison may bring about changes.
“I am hopeful that based on the information shared at this meeting we may be able to consider returning our students to school in the near future,” Scruci said.
Scruci plans to share the new information with the Bowling Green Board of Education during its special meeting Tuesday evening.
“I appreciate your continued understanding and patience as we navigate this unprecedented time with the health and safety of our staff, students, and community as our priority,” Scruci added.
DeWine announced last week that Ohio is changing its guidance on quarantines following an in-classroom exposure in K-12 schools. Students and teachers exposed to a COVID-positive person in school are no longer required to quarantine as long as the exposure occurred in a classroom setting and all students/teachers were wearing masks and following other protocols.
The change follows an evaluation of the virus spreading in schools conducted by the Ohio Schools COVID-19 Evaluation Team. Preliminary results of the evaluation found no discernable difference in the risk of contracting the coronavirus between those in close contact with a COVID-positive person in the classroom and those who were farther away.
“This evaluation confirms for us that Ohio’s classrooms are a safe place for our students and that the commitment our schools have made to keeping kids safe in the classroom is working,” DeWine said last week.
Schools should continue to require quarantines for exposed students in situations where masking and distancing protocols were not followed. The updated quarantine guidance does not apply to after-school activities, including sports.
“Ultimately, this is one more step to keep our kids in the classroom – which is where we want them to be,” DeWine said.
Vaccinations, however, are not moving as quickly as planned.
DeWine announced that school personnel would be included in the second group (1B) eligible for vaccinations in an attempt to get students back to in-school. The governor set March 1 as his target to have school staffs vaccinated throughout the state.
However, the Wood County Health Department has reported that the availability of vaccine doses to Wood County for individuals in the 1A group has been slower than expected. Therefore, availability of doses for educators will be delayed to the end of January or early February.
The local COVID case numbers reported Dec. 31 remain high. Wood County is still in Level Red, though slight decreases have been seen in the 43402 ZIP code area, which has 185 active cases down from 189, and an incidence level of 573.5 per 100,000 which is also down from 585.5 a week ago.
Tara Loar, a parent who supports the district’s decision to hold remote classes, said Saturday that she would like to see the school board stick with the matrix established by the board to determine when it is safe to return to in-person learning.
“I fully support the board and the decisions they have made,” Loar said, adding that many parents share her feelings. “We are just not quite as loud” as those wanting in-person classes, she said.
“The matrix is based on facts and data – and not political decisions,” Loar said.
Loar wants the district to hold on until school personnel get COVID vaccines.
“We are so close to that,” she said. “If we just give it a little more time, we can keep everybody safe.”
Jessica Swaisgood, leader of BG VOICE – a parent group wanting in-school learning options – has said she appreciates the board of education creating a matrix setting thresholds for when students could safely return to school. But she has questioned the high bar set by the matrix.
“Realistically, kids aren’t going to get into school for a very long time,” Swaisgood said, referring to the matrix adopted by the school board in November.
The BG VOICE group has asked the school district to offer families a choice during the coronavirus pandemic. Currently only virtual classes are being offered. The group would like the option of in-person classes for students, especially those struggling with online learning and the absence of socialization.
Bowling Green City Schools is the only district in Wood County to not offer some form of in-person classes so far this school year. As the COVID-19 numbers have grown in the county, the school board has viewed virtual classes as the safest for students, staff and the community.
