Jefferson City Schools’ COVID-19 reopening plan comes before school board

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Board of Education discussed the return to classes as the first day of the school year approaches.

The district is set to start classes on Aug. 24. While most education will happen in person, 1,347 students are signed up do do online learning through a program called "Launch."

Superintendent Larry Linthacum, along with several other district leaders will gave an update on the 2020-2021 school year opening.

"We are going to ask folks for some grace, and also to hold us accountable as we work through these things," Linthacum said. "Because there are some that literally change daily as we work through them"

The district released the plan in mid-July. Included in the plan are guidelines for mask-wearing, increased and frequent sanitation, social distancing in classrooms, COVID-19 school closures and limiting visitors into school buildings.

The meeting comes after Jefferson City High School administrators sent out an email on Friday detailing what a day in the life of a student would look like.

The email illustrates many of the main topics discussed during the school board meeting.

Students who ride the bus must be registered to monitor capacity. Everyone on the bus must wear a mask and sit in their assigned seat.

Doors to the building open up at 8:10 a.m. each day and students will be required to wear a mask until they are seated in their classroom. Thermal cameras have been installed at the two entrances to detect if any student or staff member has a fever over 100.4 degrees. If a fever is found, that person will be taken to the health center.

"They'll direct them discreetly, not just call them out in from of everyone,"  Director of Health Services Chad Sooter said. "Send them to the nurse for an evaluation."

Hanging out in hallways and common areas is not allowed, and only students with other needs, such as breakfast or technical assistance, will be allowed to go anywhere but their first period class in the morning.

Students will wipe down their desks with school provided cleaning supplies before sitting down and removing their masks. Hallway traffic will be monitored and signs will be posted to direct students.

For lunch, students will travel to the cafeteria, even if they bring their lunch. Students will then return to their classroom to eat lunch, with a few exceptions.

When school is dismissed at 3:40 p.m. students will either travel to the bus they rode home on, be picked up or go directly to the car they drove. Congregating outside in parking lots will not be allowed.

As for visitors to the buildings, only essential people will be allowed into the building. Parents will not be allowed inside any school buildings, but district staff is working on virtual open houses and other ways to engage families.

No action was taken on the re-entry plan Monday, board member we just able to ask questions about what reopening will look like.