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FUHSD trustees vote to extend distance learning through second grading period

During the Monday, Sept. 14 meeting of the Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees, the board voted to extend the distance learning model through the second grading period at its two high schools.

As of Sept. 1, San Diego County schools are permitted to reopen for in-person learning as long as the county department of public health guidelines can be followed.

But according to Superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez, the district isn't yet prepared to meet all of the guidelines and proposed that the board approve her request to extend distance learning until the second trimester begins on Nov. 9.

"At this time, our philosophy is that we will not transition for the sake of transitioning," Garza-Gonzalez said. "We will transition when the experience we can create for our students is better than our current model and when we can implement all department of public health guidelines. At this moment, there are some guidelines that are of concern to us.

"The first one being implementing distancing in and outside of the classroom."

She said the school has ordered furniture for the classrooms, and they feel comfortable saying they can ensure distancing in a classroom.

"We cannot ensure the distancing on a school bus," Garza-Gonzalez said.

She said the school is not able to keep its students in small, stable cohorts as mentioned by state guidelines, where teachers would move room to room instead of the students.

"The reason for that is with the exception of English and social science, all of our classes are mixed grade," Garza-Gonzalez said. "Because of the specialization of the different curriculum that is offered, each teacher really needs to be in their own classroom."

She also said there would be difficulties minimizing the movement of students between classes, as well as before and after school. She said even on a block schedule, with 1,900 students at Fallbrook High, it can't be mitigated at this time.

Finally, staff would have to be tested for COVID-19 every other month.

"What isn't clear is when that would happen, how it would happen, and where it would happen," Garza-Gonzalez said.

"We are able to pivot, once we hit these guidelines, at any moment.

Trustee Lee De Meo said during the discussion that he was likely to vote no on extending the distance learning saying, "I think we should move into a hybrid model as soon as possible. ... At some point, we need to open back up."

De Mayo sought to modify the proposal to give a target date of Nov. 9 to open with a hybrid model, but the motion died for the lack of a second.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the extension of distance learning with De Mayo saying he voted yes in the spirit of showing a united front.

Editor's note: The full report of Monday's board of trustees meeting will in the Thursday, Sept. 17 edition of Village News.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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