In-person learning in the Upper Perkiomen School District could be doubling next month. The school board will consider an action item increasing the classroom instruction in the district to four days a week during tonight's hybrid school board meeting.

            A recommendation to move to a four-day instructional model sets the start date at April 6. If approved, the district will maintain a virtual learning option for all students, according to a meeting agenda posted on the district's website.

            Since January, the school has been operating in a hybrid model. Students in all the district's buildings are attending in-person learning two days a week.

            District officials started the current school year 100 percent virtual due to concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic. Students spent the final three months of the 2020-21 school year in a similar learning model.

            In other news, the board is expected to consider a motion approving spring sports in the disitrict during the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. and will be held on Zoom and hosted at the Education Center, located at 2229 East Buck Road in Upper Hanover.

            The action item calls for the members to approve a UPSD Spring Athletics Health and Safety Plan which includes weekly mandatory COVID-19 Antigen testing for all student athletes and coaches. Spring practice for high school athletes will begin on March 22 if the measure is approved.

            Four high school spring coaches expressed confidence that the board will vote to approve the season. The quartet said they would do whatever is necessary to complete their schedules.

             "There is no way we could possibly give away another season by [not making] such small adjustments in our routine," wrote Dean Sullivan, the coach of Upper Perkiomen's softball team, in an email. "The players that want to win and play will do whatever is asked so they can play this spring."

            Sullivan and Frank Mercon, the head baseball coach, both said they expect weather to be the biggest challenge to playing games.

            The biggest advantage for the boys tennis team is that its players are spread out, which makes them in tune with social distancing requirements, according to coach Johnn Williamson.

            The Tribe's track and field team will benefit from spending most of its time outside, according to Clayton Mowrer, who coaches the girls.

            The members are also expected to hear a presentation from Chris Moritzen, executive director of the Western Montgomery Career & Technical Center.