D308 Could Revert To Fully Remote Learning For Fall Amid Pandemic

OSWEGO, IL — The Oswego School District 308 Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin will recommend to the Board of Education during its Monday meeting that the 2020-2021 school year begin with remote learning only. This strays from the original plan — presented on July 13 — which gave students the choice to attend school in person or to engage in virtual classes.

In a release sent to Patch, Sparlin said this is an "extremely difficult decision that was reached based on many considerations."

"Our society continues to operate in a time of uncertainty and change. We’ve had to adapt and learn new ways of doing many things amid a health crisis; the education system is no exception," he said. "I fully understand that this might be welcomed news for many of our families as well as disappointing to others."

A survey was sent to parents on June 27, seeking opinions regarding resuming in-person classes this fall. According to board documents:

• About 88 percent of parents taking the survey wanted in-person learning for early childhood grade level.
• 83 percent of elementary grade parents opted for in-person classes.
• Almost 85 percent of junior high parents were in favor of students returning to school.

The district had come up with the previous plan on the basis of this survey. However, Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Faith Dahlquist had told the board that the learning plans were subject to change, pursuant to public health guidance and changing public health conditions. Schools should also be prepared to return to distance learning if there is a resurgence of the virus later in the year.

Sparlin said the district’s leadership team has been diligently planning several options for resuming school, each keeping the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront.

"Over the last week, new guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, county health departments and other health organizations, as well as rising positivity rates of COVID-19 in our area, have caused us to conclude that reopening schools at this time is not attainable," he said.

He continued, "While more than anything, I wish our students were in their classes, learning from teachers, surrounded by classmates, I can’t overlook the significant health concerns of in-person learning at this time."

Sparlin does not need the board's approval to implement the remote learning recommendation. Under a resolution adopted by the bard last April, he can keep all school buildings and district facilities closed during the COVID-19 pandemic "until such time as the Superintendent, in consultation with the appropriate local, state and federal health and government authorities, deems it is in the best interest of the district and its students to open schools."

"Our work moving forward will be to develop a plan that can be flexible and responsive to the changing conditions of the pandemic with our ultimate goal of returning to full in-person instruction," he said. "The first day of fully remote learning will be announced soon."

He encouraged students and their families to watch the live stream of the board meeting 7 p.m. Monday on the district website.

"In closing, it is important to emphasize that our remote learning plan for the beginning of the 20-21 school year will look very different than what was done in March with much more real time interaction with teachers," Sparlin said. "We are committed to providing the best learning opportunities for our students academically along with meeting the social and emotional needs of our students. We will also continue to ensure that our students basic needs such as food and resources are met."

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