There was a spirited discussion Wednesday night among the members of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) school board, including the defeat of a motion to allow high school students the option of returning four days per week beginning Feb. 17. The vote was 5-2 with Suzanne Thomas and Brad Boyer the only yes votes.
Most board members opted to wait for data from a survey of high school students, plus more numbers would be available by the Feb. 10 board meeting on COVID positive tests and contact tracing, then a decision can be made by the board at that time. Contract tracing has resulted in more students being absent after exposure to someone testing positive. There continues to be some positive tests among school staff.
Administrators said, so far, substitute teachers have mostly covered classrooms where the teacher must be absent.
Superintendent Allen Bourff said the e-learning Fridays have been working well, with adjustments being made by the teaching and administrative staff as needed.
The board voted unanimously to support the teachers’ associations in Hamilton County that have each written letters to the governor asking that teachers be prioritized for COVID vaccinations. The board authorized Dr. Bourff to write a letter supporting the teachers’ associations, with input from board members.