School kids in Davenport will likely be in school for about half the week as part of a compromise back-to-school plan.
The Davenport School Board addressed the Return to Learn plan during their meeting Monday. Superintendent Dr. Kobylski says they have a protocol if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.
“The health department does notify us of that positive test or we could reach out to them with a specific name if we do hear from a family or a staff member,” he says.
Kobylski also says the health department will conduct contact tracing and connect with every individual that was within 6 feet of that student for 15 minutes.
“If we have one student who tests positive and someone will, it’s going to happen, we’re not gonna close a whole school down because one person tested positive. We’re not gonna shut an entire classroom down if one person tests positive. They have to fit that 6 feet for 15 minutes rule,” he said during the board meeting.
Kobylski also says he prefers the remote learning model. “I do believe the 50/50 model will keep our community safe. I would still prefer to go full online knowing that we haven’t flattened the curve yet but for us to go fully online on August 24th would require a waiver from the governor."
But KWQC-TV 6 reports school board member Kent Paustian does not favor 100 percent online learning. "I don’t feel that the superintendent should apply for a waiver,” he said during the meeting. “I’m in favor of 100% all students in class...the 50% online learning, I guess you would call it compromise..it’s probably the lesser of two evils,” he says.
Dr. Kobylski said just because they ask for the waiver doesn’t mean they have to take it and said the more options they have, the better. They’ll be monitoring the situation with help from the health department. He’s planning to send a letter to Governor Reynolds on Tuesday with data from the health department.
(Photo: KWQC-TV 6)