Shaker Teachers Can Begin Return To Schools Next Week

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Teachers and staff at Shaker Heights Schools can voluntarily return to school buildings during the week of Aug. 17, the district announced.

Shaker Heights students will begin the year in an online-only setting. Superintendent David Glasner said the district decided to move to a remote-education model after the Cuyahoga County Board of Health recommended abandoning in-person class plans.

However, staff can begin voluntary on-site work starting Aug. 17, according to the district. That's part of a Phase 1 reopening in Shaker Heights.

"Our plan begins with a voluntary (Phase 1) approach to returning to work for employees. We will move to Phase 2 after continuous monitoring of Phase 1 and when it is deemed appropriate for all employees to return to work on site," the district said. "The implementation of Phase 2 is aligned with our goal of bringing our students back to in-person classes."

Phase 2 will require all staff to be in school buildings unless they have a qualified medical exemption, the district said.

"We believe this process will allow for a safe and orderly return to work for our employees, a strong and robust remote learning experience for our students and the eventual return of our students in-person to their classrooms," Glasner said in a letter to the community.