As the number of Covid-19 cases continues to spike in Michigan and throughout the country, Wayland Union Schools will stay the course for now with its hybrid instructional program.

Supt. Dr. Christina Hinds told the board Monday night, “Our goal is to keep us open as long as possible, which is the plan for the hybrid.”

The hybrid involves half of the students attending school in-person on Mondays and Thursdays, the other half on Tuesdays and Fridays, with Wednesdays reserved for on-line instruction. The model has taking a lot of criticism from parents in the district and even some school board members, who want to see a clear path to classroom instruction five days a week.

Hinds said the Covid crisis can cause conditions to change in a hurry, noting that some West Michigan schools recently have switched to all on-line classes.

However, she noted, “Most of the cases (for Wayland) have been generated outside of school.”

The second trimester for the district begins later this month and the optimistic plan is to implement a gradual progression toward more person-to-person classes.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board:

• Was presented with Hinds’ 90-day report after her hiring July 1. She said she conducted some surveys of residents and was concerned to learn there is a significant perception of an “us vs. them” between Wayland and Dorr.
• Learned that the state will change rules governing on-line “Zoom” sessions, insisting they be held only when there are significant health risks. The board agreed to continue to on-line streaming of board meetings, but will drop the public comment, which they want citizens to make in person at the meetings.

Trustee Toni Ordway said, “I think we have enough room (in the Fine Arts Center) to accommodate the people.”

Board President Cinnamon Mellema said, “Any time we can make things transparent, we should. Making this more convenient for the public is a good thing.”

• Received a presentation from Dorr Elementary Principal Robin Senura, who insisted the school is doing remarkably well with highly effective instruction, considering the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic.

She maintained the Dorr students, teachers and staff are coping well, “whether remote, in-person or hybrid.”

• Heard board member Dan Cassini announce he interested in the board president’s position, now that current President Mellema is steppind down.