WW school board looks to reopening middle schools
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors is meeting today (Tuesday) at 5:30 p.m., and topping the agenda will be getting middle school students back in their classrooms. The board will review the community COVID-19 case data to begin that transition to in-person learning.
The most recent data on Monday showed significant improvement in cases since the holiday season. Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Department of Health are guiding districts to begin reopening middle schools when cases drop below 350 cases per 100,000 over a 14-day period. That ratio, when applied to the Walla Walla and College Place communities’ population equates to 200 new cases over two weeks. As of Jan. 26, combined case counts were at 209, just above the level.
“If updated case counts meet the board’s threshold we could begin transitioning back middle school students in about two weeks’ time,” Superintendent Wade Smith stated. “This transition window allows families time to adjust schedules. It also allows the district time to perform its third party on-site safety audit at each site, address specific staff safety accommodations, and communicate safety protocols and schedules to our families.”
The virtual meeting can be watched at https://wwps-org.zoom.us/j/96377543811 The meeting can also be listened to by calling 253-215-8782 and entering the ID number 963 7754 3811.
