La Conner Schools plan late online start

La Conner Schools is bracing to enter a virtual new world this fall.

A local blue-ribbon Back-to-School committee has recommended starting with an on-line model with the option of small groups meeting in campus buildings. This is in response to health and safety concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The panel has received input from parents, students, school staff and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community representatives since its mid-July start.

The committee suggests a slight delay in opening to provide teachers and families opportunities to train and become familiar with distance learning technology.

“Part of the thinking behind the delayed start,” La Conner teacher and committee member Alyse Sehlin explained in a social media post. “is to give teachers time to train with the new platforms, plan with colleagues so everyone is on the same page and get parents and students trained, too.”

The committee is developing a survey for public input on safely reopening school, Interim La Conner Schools Superintendent Rich Stewart said last week.

The La Conner School Board adopted a state re-opening plan resolution reflecting the template developed last month by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, a precursor to the district filing its own specific board-approved re-opening plan at a special meeting Monday night.

Thus, back-to-school remains a work in progress.

Stewart will keep the public in the loop. “I plan to use Zoom to update folks on a weekly basis,” he told the Weekly News Tuesday.

When Washington schools closed in March to curb spread of the coronavirus, district staff cobbled together lesson plans in real time that blended remote learning and paper take-home assignments.

The workload was intense. But results were mixed.

“Everybody on the committee wants this fall’s program to show improvement from last spring’s efforts,” members said in a statement released last week by its facilitator, Special Programs Director Andy Wheeler.

“Not surprisingly,” committee members added, “we all agreed that the best way to educate students is by having them in the buildings in our classrooms.”

However, recent spikes in COVID-19 cases in Skagit County prevent that, the committee determined.

“Our number one priority,” Stewart stressed, “is the safety and health of our students and staff.”

The Monday board meeting opened with the three candidates vying to fill the vacant Shelter Bay director district position fielding a series of questions posed by board member Lynette Cram.

Danny Hagen, a parent and former La Conner High basketball coach who is an appraiser specializing in data analysis with the Skagit County Assessor’s Office, said he is motivated to help foster student achievement in a climate that is positive, challenging and promotes creativity. He compared serving on the five-member board to being part of a basketball team---one of five people working together for the common good.

Retired U.S. Marine Reb Broker focused on the need for effective planning and preparation, which he termed as essential, to benefit the entire school district. In the short-term, he said it is vital that the district effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and hire a permanent superintendent who will “stick and stay” in La Conner.

Jeremy James “J.J.” Wilbur, a parent of a high school graduate and a La Conner High alum, is a Swinomish Tribal Senator and a Fire District 13 Commissioner. He cited maintaining transparency and open communication with the public while assuring equal opportunities for all students as key board priorities. he board is a “service position” that requires its members to be good listeners on behalf of students. Wilbur said

School Board President Susie Gardner Deyo said she anticipates the board will select the candidate to succeed longtime board member Brad Smith, who resigned in June, at its next meeting.

“All three of these candidates,” she said, “are very qualified. It takes a lot to step up for this commitment.”