GLASGOW, Ky. – After weeks of deliberations, Barren County Schools has decided to reopen schools this fall.
The Barren County School Board voted unanimously Thursday evening to approve the Barren County Board of Education’s Re-opening Task Force plan, which was devised by a school board member, teachers, administrators and parents. The first day for students is set for Aug. 24.
“There have been many, many hours logged,” said Superintendent of Barren County Schools Bo Matthews.
While the reopen plan is complex in nature, the plan attempts to handle any contingencies as the pandemic continues.
“Any information included here is subject to change,” Matthews said.
Matthews said Wednesday evening that Cynthia York, Barren County Schools’ Director of Special Programs, has taken a prominent role in coordinating the re-opening plan within the taskforce. Matthews said the taskforce’s work would be an “umbrella” for the district, while the individual schools will coordinate actions in their buildings.
During a presentation detailing the school system’s “Healthy at School” approach, York said the taskforce partnered with Cumberland Family Medical Center, the Barren River District Health Department, the Kentucky Department of Education and the Center for Disease Control.
The task force included a calendar committee and four subcommittees, including a health and safety, quality teaching and learning, supporting exceptional learners and school and district operations subcommittee.
A major component of the plan is the three ways students can return to school this fall.
Barren County Schools’ Director of Technology, Scott Harper, said students may return to in-person traditional classes, complete school in an online format or distant learning format and a fully online experience provided by BAVEL.
Students completing a fully online experience are expected to do that for the complete school year. BAVEL requires an interview and is only available to sixth through twelfth grades, according to Harper.
The sign-up period for each of these experiences is July 13-24. Schools will be the primary contact during the transition to the fall semester, which means a one-call will be sent to households with further instruction. A survey will also be sent to homes to assess the number of students electing in-person and distance instruction.
The expectation for students completing the distance learning experience is that they will return to school. However, when that happens is still uncertain.
High school students would commit to a semester of distance learning while kindergarten through eighth-grade students would commit one nine weeks per opt-in.
Mike Miller, a Barren County School Board member, asked if parents could shift their decision once they decided what experience their student would complete.
Shelley Groce, the school board representative on the task force, said those who elect to attend in-person classes can resort to distance learning at any point. However, those completing distance learning must fulfill the nine weeks requirement before returning.
Students, except for preschool and kindergarten, and staff are expected to wear masks and will be socially distanced in school buildings. Daily health screenings and additional facility sanitation will also occur.
York said major shifts in the school day structure include arrival procedures and interactions. No congregations will be permitted, including when students arrive and depart school.
The school system is accepting questions for an upcoming question and answer session. Questions may be submitted until July 15.
“There is no question that this school year will be incredibly challenging, likely one of the most challenging we have ever faced, but I am encouraged by the fact that we will be facing this challenge together,” said a statement from Matthews.
For more information, you can access the school system’s reopening plan online at https://sites.google.com/barren.kyschools.us/restart-bc-2020/home.
WCLU News will feature continuing coverage of the Barren County School system’s re-opening plan. Glasgow Independent Schools is expected to present its plan to the GIS Board of Education Monday evening.