School board and teachers agree on back-to-school rules

The La Conner School Board on Monday approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the school district and La Conner Education Association addressing requirements for returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agreement focuses on putting in place health screening, masking, social distancing and room cleaning and sanitizing standards to safely bring students and staff back to school.

“This gives everybody some structure with which to work through the hybrid model,” interim superintendent Rich Stewart said of the agreement, which was outlined during a 90-minute Zoom meeting.

“The process,” he added, “has been collaborative and conversational to meet the needs of everyone.”

La Conner Elementary plans in-person instruction for its youngest students starting Feb. 1, with higher grades gradually brought in during the rest of the month.

The target date for middle students to return to campus is March 1. High school would follow that.

Those dates remain tentative, according to school officials, because the pandemic is fluid and unpredictable.

On-line learning will remain an instructional option for those families who choose not to bring their students back to school until COVID-19 vaccinations can be more widely administered.

Stewart said the district’s reopening plan received a boost last week when the Swinomish Tribal Senate adopted a resolution authorizing the tribal health department to provide vaccinations to La Conner Schools staff.

“This is very good news,” Stewart said. “We are extremely grateful for this wonderful support of our district.”

Stewart praised board members J.J. Wilbur and Amanda Bourgeois for roles they played in making possible the school staff vaccinations. Wilbur is a member of the Swinomish Senate and Bourgeois represents Swinomish on the school panel.

As part of the district’s reopening plan, the contract of nurse Morgan Driscoll has been extended from three to four days per week, reflecting her increased presence on campus as an added COVID-19 precaution.

No more than 15 persons will be allowed in a classroom at any given time under the plan, with teachers and custodial staff teaming up to continually clean and sanitize surfaces.

“As (Director of Maintenance) Brian (Masonholder) says, it will be all ‘hands on deck,’” said Stewart.

Elementary principal Heather Fakkema said about 20 percent of parents surveyed prefer continuing with remote learning. Most, 80 percent, favor the half-day, four-day per week in-person hybrid model adopted for the elementary school.

“We’re very excited about our kids coming back to school,” Board President Susie Gardner Deyo said, “but the safety of our staff and students is the highest priority for us. “This (the MOU) is a real good document.”

In related notes:

*Stewart read a proclamation signed by Gov. Jay Inslee declaring January as School Board Recognition Month.

*School Board student representative MacQuaid Hiller continued the book study of “Blindspot,” a board resource used to provide added insight into crafting a policy on race and equity.

*The board approved proposed updates to the La Conner High Associated Study Body (ASB) Constitution.