Wayland schools get mixed reviews on back to school

The back to school season every autumn has a tradition for a long time, but this one is like no other in history.

The Wayland Board of Education had extensive discussions Monday night about its hybrid approach to holding classes, with most still favoring in-person instruction and almost no one in favor of virtual learning because of the Covid-19 health crisis.

The hybrid approach that Wayland and most other districts in Allegan County chose involves one group of students attending school physically Mondays and Thursdays, a different group showing up Tuesdays and Fridays and then everybody doing on-line sessions on Wednesdays.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Hinds told board members she’s hearing that most parents would like to have in-person sessions five days per week, like neighboring Martin. However, she added that most seem to have accepted that the hybrid is perhaps the best option right now.

The superintendent said it’s possible a survey could be conducted later this year.

“We kind of have to get through this mess (the pandemic),” said Assistant Supt. For Instruction Teresa Fulk. “But our goal is to get back to five days a week.”

Board President Cinnamon Mellema said, “I hear the frustrations of the community and I see the frustration of the students and teachers.”

Andy Northey, a citizen who attended the virtual meeting, urged the board to let the kids go to school in person for five days a week, noting that this area’s Covid numbers are low and neighboring districts have reported no cases after deciding on in-erson learning.

He added that last August it was reported that 80 percent of parents wished to have the kids get in-person instruction entirely.

Board member Pete Zondervan responded later in the meeting by saying, “I wish it could be all in-person (as well), but we just can’t right now.”

Mellema added, “The most important thing is to keep our kids safe.”

Hinds also said that regardless of when in-person classes resume, “We need to look at long-term educational goals after we get out of this.”

Board member Dan Cassini added, “Everybody here has the same focus — getting back to school. But we have to do it safely. It’s like a bowl of spaghetti. We’re all in this together.”

In other business at the meeting Monday night, the school board:

• Renewed for another year the last year of a five-year contract for custodial services at a cost of $604,699, a 2% increase.
• Was told by Patricia Velie, assistant superintendent for finances and operations, that the district served 28,464 breakfasts and lunches to kids from March through August when school was not in session.
• Learned from Velie that insurance premium cost increases were from 2.9% to 3.69%, but there may be added costs because more employees are enrolling in family plans.
• Was told by Velie that the new truck that was ordered last year has arrived and the small sports team van is expected later this month, but the whereabouts of the plow is unknown.
• Welcomed three new teachers, including Ashley Kattenbell, English as a Second Language instructor, and Tim Gibson, high school math and head varsity football coach.
• Learned that budgeting for a drop in number of students by about 50 this year seems about right.