NEW WASHINGTON — Much like many school systems in the state of Ohio, the goal of the Buckeye Central Local School District is to have students back in the classrooms come this fall even if that means things may look a little different than normal.
As much as everyone wishes going back to school will look normal, staff members have discussed a few different potential ways that that could look — having classes in person like normal, having classes in person and in an online format for those not comfortable with being back in school yet, potentially checking students’ temperatures, amongst others, though nothing has been decided upon yet.
For bussing, guidelines out of Columbus state that it is okay to put two students in a seat at once, and three students if they are family and if it is needed. The district has added one more bus to go out on routes next school year, bringing their total to ten buses picking up students.
As of now, students’ first day is August 19 and preschool begins September 8.
The board approved an official resolution denouncing racism and confirming Buckeye Central Schools’ commitment to support all students.
The board, much like many schools in the state, approved the ODE Declaration of Blended Learning Model for the 2020-2021 school year. This resolution needed to be passed in case the school must close due to COVID-19.
The board received a facilities update from Trent Buehrer on the construction going on at the school. The equipment for the playground has all been designed and there are quotes for everything, the foundation for the bus garage is down and all the steel is on site for the project.
The building will begin going up after the Fourth of July weekend, and construction has started on the board offices. Starting no later than the second week of July, those offices will not be used, and board office staff will be moved to a trailer to continue working.
The next board meeting will be on July 16 at 7 p.m. in the high school library.