A look at schools ‘without any problems’

A Chico parent group is intent on re-opening CUSD schools to full time on-site attendance, as well as the recall of four CUSD school board members (“Facts show schools …” and “School Board needs …”, ER Letters, March 13).

In support of both of these issues, they mention other nearby school districts such as Durham and Roseville that have (successfully) gone back to full time learning “without any problems.”

Here’s what the Durham School District Superintendent John Bohannon said about the unique qualities of Durham that allowed their full reopening (which occurred on March 1): “The transition is partly made possible due to the smaller size of the district (1,000 students), compared to larger ones nearby like Chico (11,000) and Oroville Unified School Districts.” COVID-19 mitigation measures in place in Durham Schools include: mask wearing at all times, 4 feet student separation with Plexiglas dividers in classrooms, all teachers vaccinated and HVAC systems equipped with the MERV13 filters.

Roseville Joint Union High

School District tried re-opening one time before. The district voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to return to in-person instruction in January five days a week. However, it voted to return to distance learning beginning Jan. 14 as more staff

(18 teachers, two support staff, seven custodians, two para-educators and one wellness intern) and 33 students began to test positive for COVID-19, causing numerous staff quarantines. Roseville’s most recent attempt to return to full time on-site attendance was on March 5.

— Mark S. Gailey, Chico