School to resume August 12

At the July 14 School Board meeting, Superintendent Stacey Larson-Iverson presented three possible pathways for reopening Tehachapi schools on Aug. 12.

A blended A/B Model would include a modified school schedule to be combined with online learning. The two possible patterns presented suggested two days of on campus instruction with three days of virtual instruction or four days on campus with the following week distance learning.

Still being considered is five days a week of distance learning at home with personalized daily instruction and support while maintaining school site affiliation or Independent Study through TILA with online courses for grades 6-12 and parent-led instruction for grades TK-5. In the last case, all students meet at least once a month with a credentialed teacher to review work and set goals.

The district had sent out around 4,000 surveys to parents at the end of the school year to gather preferences and had received only slightly over 1,400 feedback responses. The district must take into consideration challenges such as student equity, distance from school, working parents, social distancing, financial situations and students with other unusual circumstances.

The Board expects to have an emergency meeting July 21 to take the final vote on moving forward.