ENCINITAS — The San Dieguito Union High School District board of trustees passed a resolution last week that aims to get students back onto campuses as soon as possible — once the county returns to the state’s red tier status. The resolution passed with a 4-0 vote (one board member was absent) at a special board meeting on Jan. 21.
Although small cohorts have been on district campuses since last September, the vast majority of students have been engaged in distance learning since the beginning of the pandemic just under one year ago.
Miquel Jacobs, SDUHSD communications coordinator, said the new resolution will get the remaining students on campus as soon as it is safe enough to do so.
The district is following California Department of Public Health guidelines, which allow schools to reopen once the county is in the red tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy system.
San Diego County is currently in the purple tier as coronavirus cases are widespread, with more than double the positivity rate necessary for schools to open back up.
When San Diego County crosses into the red tier, students will be given the option to attend classes on school grounds, but in-person attendance will not be required, Jacobs said. While some parents and students are eager to get back into the classroom, others are still wary.
Members of the public submitted comments about the re-opening plan before the meeting took place. Many called for the school board to be more transparent about reopening plans.
Others demanded the board provide a written list of accommodations for teachers to safely return to campus.
“Our guiding principle has always been focused on the health and safety of our students, families, staff, and community,” Jacobs said. “We will continue to monitor the guidance coming from the CDPH and the San Diego County Public Health Orders… our guiding principle has always been focused on the health and safety of our students, families, staff, and community.”
