Jill Schramm/MDN Minot Public School Board member Mike Gessner gestures as he speaks during a board meeting Tuesday in the Central Campus Auditorium. Board member Miranda Schuler listens at right.

Concerned parents, students and staff presented a petition to the Minot School Board Tuesday, asking the district to amend its plan for restarting classes on Aug. 27.

More than 170 signatures were on the petition, submitted by the group, Minot Safe School Reopen.

“We all agree that it is important to get students and staff back into school buildings, but nothing is worth sacrificing the safety of all involved,” the group stated.

The group is seeking mask-required social distancing in all classrooms via hybrid learning, class size reduction and/or cohort grouping; adequate and safe ventilation in all classrooms; distance restrictions until Ward County and/or Minot is free of new COVID-19 cases for 14 days; and prevention of the use of teacher leave for COVID-19-related absences.

“I just want to remind everyone of the time, dedication and hard work many members of the reintegration committee spent on this current plan,” School Board President Jim Rostad said in response to the petition. “All board members realize that we will be watching and we will alter this plan as we move forward.”

Although the school board took no action on the petition or on a final plan, members did discuss some concerns raised. The board adopted a donated leave program in which teachers who donate at least one of their sick days into a leave bank can draw on that bank if needed during the school year for COVID-19-related absences.

The school board also learned the cost to upgrade building ventilation systems would be high and that installation is best done in the summer when schools are not in session. The board took no action at this time.

The reintegration plan recommended to the school board Tuesday provides a districtwide framework, but each school would have more detailed plans that vary based on their individual circumstances.

“Further discussion will take place at both elementary and secondary to make the final decisions needed at each level,” said integration committee member Tracey Lawson, assistant superintendent for elementary education. “It is a flexible plan that is likely to change based on the changing status of COVID-19 within our community.”

The reintegration committee continues to work on the plan so no board action was taken Tuesday.

The district has had 1,004 students opt for distance learning, including 450 in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and 554 in grades six through 12, which is just under 13% of students.

Lawson said distance-learning families will find the educational experience much like that of the classroom under the recommended plan.

“Just as with in-person learning, there will be an immediate focus on social-emotional learning, and we’ll be working to build relationships between teachers and families from the first day,” she said. In addition to the daily face-to-face opportunities, there may be recordings that can be viewed anytime, she said. Students receiving special services can obtain those services through distance learning. All distance students will be monitored and provided intervention if falling behind. The plan includes no dress code but states that distance learners should dress appropriately for the classroom.

Students and their families as well as teachers will be offered training in the technology prior to the start of school. Help sheets also will be available to parents next week, Lawson said.

Under the proposed plan, grades six through 12 would follow a modified, hybrid learning model if the risk level from COVID-19 increases from the current “green” to the “yellow” level. Students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade would remain in their cohort groups in their classrooms.

“We know that at a younger age, students benefit more with in-person learning. They are building their foundational skills and we would like to keep them in the classroom for as long as possible. We also know that younger students have a need for supervision, and without school, they will potentially go to daycare and have additional exposures that may not have had to occur if school remained in session. And we know that there are not enough childcare options in our community, which would be difficult for parents,” Lawson said.

However, parents would have the option to move their students to distance learning in event of a change in risk level that alters educational plans. Supt. Mark Vollmer also said hybrid learning for younger students, although not the preference, would remain an option for the district.

Parents who signed the online petition on Action Network left comments voicing concern about distance learning for special needs children, class sizes for in-person learning and opening of schools when positive COVID-19 cases are increasing.

Lisa Clute, executive director for First District Health Unit, told the board that the health unit has information regarding positive tests that it provides to school administrators daily. If cluster cases occur or cases rise among youth or within the service area of particular schools, the health unit would alert districts so they can respond according to their plans.

“We want these education systems to succeed and keep going, and we’re going to provide you the best information that we can help you do that,” Clute said. “But in the end, a lot of this is in the community’s hands. So every opportunity that you have to say, ‘Help us stop the spread or slow the spread,’ that’s what it’s going to take.”