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Planning for school openings this fall is underway, state officials say.
Smart Start, a new working group composed of educators, healthcare professionals and technology partners, has been tasked …
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Planning for school openings this fall is underway, state officials say.
Smart Start, a new working group composed of educators, healthcare professionals and technology partners, has been tasked with making recommendations related to reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year.
“The most important decisions about opening schools this fall take place at the local level with schools and health officials working together,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, who formed the group. “Smart Start is intended to spur local conversations and provide a framework for reopening.”
Guidance will be drafted for school districts and other educational institutions, with the group recommending components for a Smart Start template that school districts will use to safely reopen schools in Wyoming.
“We need to ensure learning can continue under a variety of potential circumstances,” said Gov. Mark Gordon. “This working group will look strategically at reopening and develop guidance and best practices for schools so they can ensure the safety and well-being of their students this fall.”
In a May 29 interview on KODI (AM 1400), Gordon said that the state “may see some changes” when the school year begins in the fall.
“We may have ... a little bit longer school days, half a class in one week and out online the next — that kind of thing,” Gordon said.
Wanda Maloney, director of accountability at the Wyoming Department of Education, said the primary concern of the Smart Start group “is the safety and well-being of students and staff.”
The Department of Education, along with the Department of Health, will provide updates and information as the group continues to offer recommendations on how to safely reopen schools.
“As everyone involved looks forward to the next school year, the Department of Health is happy to work with this team to help ensure plans include common-sense measures meant to help limit and reduce the further spread of COVID-19,” said Stephanie Pyle, Wyoming senior administrator of public health.
