Dozens of written testimonials from parents, teachers and other stakeholders were submitted before a Thursday meeting of the state Board of Education, where board members discussed providing guidance to the state Department of Education about how to reopen schools in the fall.
School facilities were closed during the last quarter of the 2019-20 year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rather than in-person learning, students throughout Hawaii had access to “enrichment” and distance-learning opportunities in the final weeks of the academic year.
BOE Chairwoman Catherine Payne said the board should provide “big picture” guidance to the DOE for the reopening of schools in the fall.
But before the BOE can issue such guidance, it must first understand the expectations, questions and concerns that members, education stakeholders and the public have about reopening schools and educating students while living with the threat of COVID-19, board members said.
“I hope this discussion and subsequent resolution will assist the department to focus even more limited resources on what will best serve our students,” Payne said Thursday. “I know that the department has not been waiting for us to give direction, and that work is moving forward in schools, complexes and the state. It is important to acknowledge the hard work and commitment that is reflected in everything I read and everyone with whom I speak.”
But Payne said she knows, too, that there is a lack of clarity for many, some of which is due in part to the speed at which the COVID-19 situation is changing.
Among the submitted testimony, Jeffrey Duggan, a social studies teacher at Konawaena High School, said that if data and medical guidance continues to suggest low numbers of COVID-19 cases, schools should be allowed to open in ways that best fit each individual school.
“In other words, depending on school size, geographic scope, bus schedule reality and the ability to social distance while at school (in a reasonable way — not unrealistically) that flexibilitybe provided to schools,” he wrote. “Micromanagement and rigid guidelines will not work. I strongly suggest a schedule that maximizes in-class learning and minimizes virtual learning.”
Duggan said, too, that schools should be supplied personal protective equipment and sanitizer, and that teachers should not be expected to provide wipes and other supplies.
Lauren Higa, a fifth-grade teacher at Waiakeawaena Elementary School, expressed concern as both a parent and teacher about discussions she’s heard regarding the possibility of staggered or alternating days for student instruction, and the availability of appropriate child care for teachers who have children of their own.
“Many DOE teachers are also parents, and we need to know that BOE supports us as teachers and as parents,” she said.
Cassandra Armstrong, a pre-K teacher at Kohala Elementary School, said if there are no new cases of COVID-19 for at least two weeks, she hopes school could start on time as normal.
Antoinette “Toni” Reynolds, a teacher at Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua-Kona, said she’s concerned about any plans to re-open schools without proper precautions.
“I work with young children, many of whom do not speak English as their primary language,” she said. “It will be extremely difficult to explain (and enforce) ‘safety precaution’ rules to my young keiki. It is also unrealistic to expect them to maintain social distancing precautions if we have such mandated precautions as a condition of reopening.”
Reynolds said she would rather work with smaller groups in a safer environment.
“I understand staggered schedules may be a challenge, but with creative problem-solving, I am sure we can overcome many obstacles.”
Brittany Farmer, a mother of four school-age children on the Big Island, urged the BOE to consider the psychological effects of social distancing and wearing masks in the school environment.
BOE Vice Chairman Brian De Lima said in a phone call Friday that the health and safety of staff and students should be prioritized, and that the DOE should be cognizant of the latest and best practices recommended at both the state and national level.
“We definitely want to prevent the spread of any COVID in our community,” he said.
De Lima said the DOE also should prioritize and support students who may be struggling, who have disabilities or are facing other challenges to ensure they can progress in their education.
“The way that education works, you need to have a foundation and build on that foundation each year,” he said. “We don’t want our students to fall behind, because if a student falls behind, it creates added problems and challenges for themselves individually, and the community indirectly.”
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.