Wayland students will go to school for four days a week starting Feb. 15 and then five days starting March 1, after new plans were approved Monday night by the Board of Education.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Hinds presented board members with four options for getting out of the hybrid model and moving toward more in-person instruction. By the time the matter was put to a vote, six options had been discussed.

Dr. Hinds said the Allegan County Health Department no longer issues grades for instruction models. The designation of “D” kept Wayland and most other districts in the county in the hybrid model, in which half of the students attend Mondays and Thursdays, other half Tuesdays and Fridays and Wednesdays reserved for virtual instruction and special ‘catch-up” lessons.

Dr. Hinds said of the much-maligned hybrid model, “We’ve been able to provide consistency and stability” since the start of the school year last August, not to mention the health and safety of staff and students.

She said the health department’s changed attitude is, “These are guidelines, not laws. Instead of you must, it’s you may.”

But now, after more than six months of agonizing and debate, and absorbing the slings and arrows from public input, all students will attend classes in person for four days a week starting Monday, Feb. 15, and switch to five days on Monday, March 1.

Board members discussed and debated options, eliminating all but the one eventually approved.

Dr. Hinds stressed that it’s important to allow teachers time to prepare necessary changes for their classrooms.

Students, staff and faculty will have just four days of instruction in the first two weeks because of the mid-winter break that includes Friday, Feb. 19, and Monday, Feb. 22.

The new schedule:

• Monday, Feb. 15 – Thursday, Feb. 18 all students will attend school in-person.
• Friday, Feb. 19 and Monday, Feb.  22, there is no school for students as previously scheduled due to mid-winter break.
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 – Friday, February 26, all Young Fives through 12th grade students will attend full-time in person instruction.
• Monday, March 1 – Friday, March 5, all Young Fives-12th grade students will attend school in-person.
• Monday, March 8, begins the third trimester. All students will continue to attend school full-time five days per week.

The school board approved the plans for the remainder of the school year with the option to edit the plan each month.

Students in the VAAC virtual learning program still have the option to remain so for the remainder of the school year.  Students wishing to enroll into the VAAC program may do so by Jan. 29.

Board Secretary Janell Hott said, “In a nutshell, we have to do everything we can to get the kids back in school, and keep them there.”

Trustee Jason Shane, speaking of the health department’s guidelines, said, “Most indications seem to be it’s OK to come back now,” adding later, “It’s important that everyone comes together on this decision.”

Treasurer Toni Ordway, who has been a strong advocate of the “back to school” philosophy, added.” Even the Allegan County Health Department is saying it’s fine to come back.”

The board heard from parent Matt Miner, who strongly promoted the five-day, in-person instruction model, and Sarah Fein, who insisted that precautions be observed on behalf of teachers’ health.

Dr. Hinds indicated the latest goal from the state is to have all teachers vaccinated by the end of February.

In other business Monday, the board:

• Approved the purchase of four bathroom base detectors for the middle school and high school at a cost of $12,567 from DA Central.
• Agreed to purchase 17 new tables for the Dorr Elementary cafeteria with a price of $19,023. The current tables, which seat eight each, are about 20 years old.
• Approved the purchase of the big technology televisions for the high media center for $9,040.
• Agreed to pay $2,000 for the new storage building at the new tennis courts.