In-Person Instruction Available for K-5

            Last Thursday, the Quakertown Community School District Board of Directors met in-person at the district's administration building for the first time since March.

             "It feels really good to be back," President Kaylyn Mitchell said while calling the meeting to order.

            All members in attendance were masked and maintaining social distancing. Public comment was still submitted in advance and read aloud by district staff during the 4 ½ hour meeting which was broadcast over YouTube.

            The board voted to offer in-person instruction for kindergarten through fifth grade beginning October 12. Virtual instruction through the district will still be option for students.

           A plan to offer live, in-person instruction for secondary students is in development by school administration. That plan will be reviewed during the October 8 meeting along with a plan to dedicate some district teachers solely to virtual instruction.

           "Parents want a light at the end of the tunnel," Mitchell said.

           While the motion to offer in-person instruction for elementary students passed 8-1, other votes related to a return to in-person instruction were met with more debate. New Director Brian Reimers opposed offering live instruction.

           A motion to amend the district's health and safety plan to follow Bucks County guidance over state and federal guidance failed. However, one amendment to the plan passed and will allow distancing of 3-feet versus the 6-foot recommendation of the CDC. The plan will note that 6 feet will be adhered to whenever possible.

           Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker summarized county guidance that replaces the 14-day quarantine with close monitoring, masks and enhanced social distancing. This form of modified quarantining has worked well in the past, according to Damsker.

          "COVID is not going anywhere in the near future and we need to learn to live with it."

           The vote to follow the modified quarantine plan recommended by Bucks County failed with Reimers, Keith Micucci, Jennifer Weed, Steaven Klein and Ronald Jackson opposing the change.

           Details on the October 12 return to in-person instruction for elementary students have been added to the districts website. Superintendent William Harner also summarized the decisions and plans on his September 26 Super Blog.