BEATRICE - The Beatrice School Board has approved a school opening plan that will have students attend classes in person, beginning August 12th for the new school year. The board approved a resolution on a 5-1 vote, with one member absent from the meeting, authorizing school administration to implement the plan.


School administrators explained the plan before several parents during a special meeting, held the Beatrice High School Hevelone Center. Superintendent Jason Alexander says a COVID task force and staff at the school has worked to put together the plan that addresses the safety of 2,200 students and 357 staff members.
"They gave of their time to volunteer, to be part of a problem solving process, that quite honestly has not been an easy process or problem to solve. They've been very thoughtful, they've been very dedicated and very conscientious about being concerned about what's best for students and staff as we plan to return, quite honestly, in a scenario I don't think any of us every imagined".


The district has studied four possible tiers of school, opting for Tier-Two. It includes a requirement for masks and face shields for teachers and staff, and a requirement for students to wear them, as well…but with a formal parent opt-out provision.


"Anything that can help prevent the spread, is what we're looking at doing....and providing masks for students and staff and face shields for staff, if they need it. The State Department of Education is providing adult sized face masks....five for every student and staff member. The district has purchased child-sized masks plus disposable masks....three thousand to have on hand, to be able to provide masks to people".


If a student not wearing a mask should test positive for COVID-19, it could extend the quarantine time the student is away from school. Any COVID-related absence would not, however, be an unexcused absence.


The school’s plan has bus transportation running at 50-percent capacity, with parents asked to help when they can, with transporting their children to and from school. Students riding buses will be required to wear a mask, otherwise buses would be limited to carrying only seven students.
Random student testing and temperature checks will be done initially, and block scheduling will replace the typical eight-period school day at the middle school and high school levels.


Social distancing will be observed, as much as possible in a school setting.


Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jackie Nielsen said a survey showed a 92% majority of parents were on board with in-person classes.
"Remote learning is a great option, but the best learning is actually in the classroom, with the teacher".


One board member, Erin Chadwick, voted against the resolution. She expressed concerned over the mask requirement under a Tier-2 approach.
Alexander said two phone calls he got minutes apart showed the difference of opinions on masks…


"At 8:55, one parent calls and says, my kids are not coming to school if they have to wear a mask. 8:57, the other parent calls....my kids are not coming to school if you do not require a mask. Folks, the reality is that somewhere in the middle is where we have to be to live together, and be able to accomplish what we want to accomplish....and the most important thing, is getting our kids back to school where we want them....for you, and for us".


If the district should have to move to a more restrictive Tier-3 operation…a hybrid of in-person and remote learning would be used. The district will provide tablets for Pre-kindergarten through 1st Grade, and Chromebooks for second to twelfth grade students. Under Tier-3, students with last names that begin with A through L would attend classes Monday and Thursday……those with names M through Z, would attend Tuesday and Friday.


The board took questions from a few of those attending Tuesday night’s special meeting. Parents could also watch and listen to the meeting, which was live streamed.