Byron district schools to start two weeks later, with online learning only

Officials make agonizing decision after marathon special meeting

After more than five hours of discussion and hearing impassioned pleas, the Byron Union School District board has decided to start the new school year two weeks later than usual and with distance learning only.

The school board voted 3 to 2 late Friday — with trustees Susan Vinyard and Eva Pahl dissenting — to continue with the virtual instruction started after the coronavirus pandemic forced schools across the state to close their classrooms in mid-March..

Superintendent Reyes Gauna gave school trustees a choice between distance learning and a hybrid schedule of in-person and structured remote studies.

In a survey last week, about 75% of the parents chose some form of in-person classes, most preferring a model with children having either morning or afternoon classes four days a week, district officials said.

The parents also overwhelmingly favored a later start date of Aug. 10, the same day that Liberty Union School District is beginning its new academic year.

But Kerry Hollister, president of the Byron Teachers Association, said a survey of teachers found that 77% did not feel comfortable going back to the classroom.

“We know it’s not an easy decision, and none of the options presented will give us that sense of normalcy that we desire,” she told the board. “We want to return when it is safe for

students and teachers.”

Hollister also questioned whether the district had enough substitutes to fill in for sick teachers.

“Sometimes we have to move slowly to move fast, and we wonder with safety in mind if that’s the case as well,” she said.

Fellow teacher Louise Brecht agreed, noting that bars, churches and restaurants are still closed, family gatherings are discouraged, and California just announced the pending release of 8,000 inmates to stem the spread of the coronavirus that is ravaging

some prisons.

“The risk to me, students and staff is just too great,” she said. “If just one student or staff member at Timber Point (Elementary) becomes critically ill, that is too many.”

But resident Matt Colbert said there’s also danger in staying at home longer.

“Sadly, for some of our students, school is many times their primary safe haven and an integral part of the village that raises these children,” Colbert said.

“This is unequivocally the most difficult ordeal we ever have experienced,” he added. “We need to as soon and as safely as possible provide consistent faceto-face instruction to our students.”

A group of teachers whose specialties include music, drama, art, band, yearbook and leadership agreed.

“In middle school, relationships are everything,” teacher Louise Colbert said. “Students even identify themselves by their elective classes. ‘I am a tech kid, a yearbook kid, a band kid.’ … Kids are always changing and figuring out who they are and how they fit in. We don’t know how we could ever build that same community online.”

Superintendent Gauna said SB 85, which is helping provide guidelines, has encouraged in-person learning.

“You want everyone to feel safe,” he said. “Whatever

model is decided, we will be ready to pivot to another model if needed.”

Gauna noted that a hybrid model of distance learning and in-person classes would include staggered start and dismissal times, added health and safety procedures, and closed play structures to discourage the virus’ spread.

Trustee David Turner said he preferred a hybrid model with two days on and three days off — but only when deemed safe.

“We have lost the focus and started hugging everybody, throwing Fourth of July parties,” he said. “I worry that we lost the bubble — I think where we are now in the community, we

need to do distance learning, then go to A/B model.”

Trustee Melissa OrtizGray agreed, suggesting it was too early to begin inperson classes.

“I feel there are a lot of holes that still need to be filled (in the hybrid plan),” she said. “The other thing that I am concerned about is our (COVID-19) numbers in Contra Costa are still on the rise … and it’s not that it doesn’t affect children … there are 658 under the age of 20 that have or have had coronavirus (in the county).”

Trustee Joshua McMurty agreed.

“Safety is my No. 1 priority,” he said. “My thought is we as a district cannot open safely.”

Trustees Vinyard and Pahl said they wanted to start the year with the hybrid approach, which supports the students emotionally and socially.

“I believe in (teaching) the whole child,” Vinyard said. “There’s something about being in person that’s very different than being on a screen.”

Turner, after calling for a full-distance school start, said the issue should be revisited at every board meeting because the virus’ course can change quickly.

“Everything that we do is a partnership, so the reopening plans can still be modified,” Gauna added.