New Kensington-Arnold School Board votes to bring students back to school — but many may learn from home

The New Kensington-Arnold School District will attempt to bring all students back to school this fall, but nearly half of parents might choose remote learning.

The district will require all students and staff to wear face masks or shields in schools and on buses, according to the district’s return plan.

The school board approved the plan Tuesday, 7-1. Board member Chelsea Stone voted no; Eric Doutt was absent.

The district plans to start its school year Monday, Aug. 31.

While the district is opting for a total reopening, families could choose distance learning if they have safety or health concerns, the plan states.

Superintendent John Pallone said slightly more than half of the district’s students plan to come back to school, based on parent responses to a survey.

According to Pallone, 63% of the district’s families responded to the survey, representing 1,260 students. He said about 53%, or about 662 students, will return to buildings, while 45%, or 567 students, will consider taking classes remotely.

“The table is a little bit slanted toward the face-to-face,” he said.

In June, the school board furloughed 28 teachers, in part because of the concern that students would not be returning to classrooms. The board voted Tuesday to bring back all but one of those teachers.

The board in June also approved offering an early retirement incentive. Four teachers accepted it — Patrick Hepinger, physics; Teresa Beebe and Wendy Anderson, elementary; and Claudia McGuire, reading.

Assistant Superintendent Jon Banko said the district is doing everything it can to make schools safe for students to return. But, he said, it’s understandable if families aren’t comfortable doing so.

Banko said the district developed its plan so parents can choose if they want their children to go back to school, or stay at home and work remotely with the district’s teachers. The district will be able to go to full remote learning if necessary, he said.

Schools would be closed if there is a spike in covid-19 cases in the district or its communities, the plan states.

According to the plan, temperature checks will be done on everyone entering schools. Anyone showing or reporting symptoms of sickness throughout the day will be evaluated by a nurse.

All employees will be trained on recognizing symptoms of covid-19-related illness.

Families will be expected to self-monitor daily, and keep children who do not feel well at home. Employees will be expected to do the same.

Students and staff exposed to the virus will be required to stay home for 14 days, during which students will move to remote learning. Those confirmed to have had the virus will not be allowed back without a doctor’s release indicating they are not a risk to others.

The district will directly notify families if someone in a school is exposed to or becomes ill from the virus.

The plan said all buildings and facilities will be cleaned and disinfected or sanitized before classes start, and then daily during the school year.

Custodians will clean high-traffic areas and areas where students may congregate throughout the school day. The use of high-touch surfaces will be minimized, and the sharing of instructional materials will be limited. Sanitation wipes will be provided to disinfect shared items.

Classrooms and learning spaces will be arranged to maximize social distancing between students and staff. The district said it will try to keep groups of students together throughout each day and minimize the mixing of groups of students as much as possible.

The number of students congregating in communal spaces will be limited.

While the district will require wearing face masks and/or shields, it is “highly” recommending wearing masks. Outdoor areas will be used to provide short breaks during which masks may be removed. Teachers will be be allowed to use outdoor spaces for classroom activities.

Accommodations will be provided for younger students and those with unique health or learning requirements.

The district said bus routes will be adjusted to balance ridership from various neighborhoods. Parents will be encouraged to bring their children to school.