Lake Washington Schools Resconsider Secondary Education Plans

REDMOND, WA — Washington's second-largest school district is asking its secondary education teachers to consider returning to the classroom after all, in light of a federal directive allowing vaccinations for all K-12 educators, child care workers and other school staffers.

Earlier in the month, parents and students sounded off at the first in-person school board meeting after the Lake Washington School District announced 6th - 12th graders would stay on a fully-remote learning plan through the end of the school year.

While state guidance encourages districts to adopt a phased-in return to class for all learners, many teachers' unions had repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of doing so until vaccinations were available. Now that teachers can book appointments, Lake Washington is looking to reopen negotiations to implement an in-person hybrid model for older students.

In a lengthy letter sent to families on March 10, district superintendent Jon Holmen reiterated that, while public health guidance does not require immunization for a safe return to school, the availability of vaccines compelled the school to reevaluate its remote-learning model.

"This action by the President and Governor prioritizes educational services and, specifically, in-person educational services," Holmen wrote. "The increased prioritization of vaccine distribution for school district staff speaks volumes for the expected actions of school districts across the country. This announcement requires us to ensure that our actions align with that level of responsibility."

Holmen said the district is still working on a final in-person transition plan, looking to bring back students in smaller groups and eventually transition into the final hybrid model. The superintendent identified three key parameters moving forward:

1. Secondary students will keep their courses and teachers in almost all cases
2. Families have the option to opt their child into an In-Person Hybrid schedule
3. Students opting to remain remote for the duration of the 2020-21 school year will continue to participate in remote teaching and learning

Holmen closed his letter by acknowledging the many evolutions in the district's thinking, prompted by complexity and unique challenges.

"I understand the unique challenges with announcing this change after we recently announced that all students would retain their remote schedule and that we would be bringing secondary students to campus in smaller groups for the remainder of the school year. I also recognize the busy time that Spring is at all our schools and, particularly, our secondary schools. We have an opportunity to welcome our students back to our secondary campuses this school year as a launch into the 2021-22 school year.
Throughout this year, we have had to gather our resolve to continue moving our work forward for students. Education systems are deeply complex which leads to challenges when change is required. The time of year for this change also leads to challenge. Even with the complexity and challenges, our students continue to voice the need for peer and social connection that only a school schedule can provide.
Our students need us – they need hope that things will get better.
We have the opportunity to provide hope."

Read the full letter to families on the Lake Washington School District website.