October 22, 2020—The Shaker Heights Board of Education called a special Work Session last night to discuss the District’s efforts to return to onsite learning. The Board requested the meeting in the wake of Cuyahoga County returning to a Level 3 (Red) alert level and the District’s subsequent decision to delay a return to onsite learning. Governor DeWine’s remarks earlier today confirmed the belief that our county could remain at Level 3 (Red) for an extended period of time. We asked Dr. Glasner and his team to provide the Board with a better understanding of the barriers to returning to onsite learning at the elevated alert level and how we can work with our families, teachers and staff to get our students into the buildings as soon as possible.
After hearing from our Administration, we as a Board are convinced that our students should be provided an opportunity for onsite learning.
The Administration provided clear and compelling reasons for returning to onsite instruction. We have strong health and safety protocols in place. Our buildings are ready. Our teachers will be in our buildings starting next week and will be able to provide additional input on what they need in preparation for students’ return.
It is clear that remote learning is not serving all our students and is negatively impacting both the achievement gap and their social and emotional health. That said, we also know the District will continue to offer concurrent remote learning for our families who want their students to stay home, providing options for online and onsite learning.
Earlier this fall, the District stated we would follow the Cuyahoga County Board of Health guidelines for returning to school, specifically those recommending students remain remote at Level 3 (Red). As the school year has unfolded it has become clear those recommendations do not reflect the reality on the ground. Many districts around us have successfully navigated onsite learning and will continue to provide it for their students while the county is at Level 3 (Red). The Board believes the mitigation strategies implemented in our buildings can provide a safe return to schools. The District’s ability to be flexible has been our strength during this pandemic. This moment is no different. It is entirely appropriate to revise our approach to handling this unprecedented crisis as we receive additional information and insight. Just today, the governor said that Ohio schools are not proving to be a significant source of the COVID-19 spread.
We are aware of the Shaker Heights Teachers’ Association’s concerns but remain confident the Administration and SHTA can work together over the coming days to reach common ground. Nevertheless, reconciling these concerns should not delay a date and timeline for returning to school. No one knows how long the pandemic will continue and it is important that we provide our students with the Shaker education they deserve. Our District will continue to provide weekly updates and will continue to evaluate when we can safely return to onsite learning. The Board supports this effort and looks forward to seeing students in our classrooms as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support of Shaker Heights Schools,
The Shaker Heights Board of Education