Easton Area OKs reopening plan
Families in Easton Area School District might want to keep an eye on whether the coronavirus is spreading at a moderate or substantial rate in Northampton County.
School board members Tuesday unanimously approved a reopening plan that calls for kindergarten through second graders to return to school four days a week after the county is in two consecutive weeks of moderate spread, and for third through fifth graders to return after another two consecutive weeks of moderate spread. A plan to return older students hasn’t been finalized.
The plan is largely similar to one district officials presented last month. Things have changed quickly and dramatically since then, Superintendent David Piperato said, including the ability for most staff to be vaccinated by the end of the month, thanks to the state prioritizing educators to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. He said staff in elementary and middle school buildings who want vaccines would get them in the first round of vaccinations, which they can get by March 19. Some, but not all, high school staff will also be vaccinated by then.
Under the plan, students would be seated no closer than 4 feet apart, and teachers no closer than 6 feet. Piperato said medical professionals recommended that students that were going to be within 6 feet of each other only be allowed to return in times of moderate spread.
Board members Brian Snyder and Thomas Guth said they prefer a hard start date, and board member Jodi Hess said she would support allowing Piperato to reopen whenever he wants to.
Board member Meg Sayago said she saw positives with the plan.
“One advantage to leaving it open is that it provides the flexibility to come back earlier than we might if it were on a fixed day now,” she said. “I know it’s frustrating to leave it open, but I think it’s an important component of this plan. It’s a commitment to follow the guidance and what our medical experts have recommended.”
The vote came after about 15 parents spoke in favor of reopening, with several calling for a more aggressive reopening plan that included older students, saying children needed to be in school for their mental health and education, teachers would be vaccinated, and the risk of COVID is dropping.
“We need to go back to school, we need to go back four to five days, we need less conservative planning and more aggressive planning in this,” said Blair DeBee, who has three children in the district. “When they’re in school, they thrive. When they’re at home, they don’t.”
Board members are scheduled to approve related revisions to their reopening health and safety plan at their next meeting. March 23.
— Michelle Merlin