Wichita school board members have voted to approve a “blended” option for middle school and high school students for classes in the second quarter of the school year.
The board voted 4-2 at a special meeting Tuesday evening to approve what was called Option 1, which will rotate students in two groups. One group will be on site and in the classrooms on Mondays and Tuesdays, while the other group will be on site Thursdays and Fridays. All students will have remote learning on Wednesdays.
The option will provide for smaller class sizes and social distancing, but board members said it will present a challenge for teachers in handling a mix of in-person and online classes. The new system will begin November 9th.
Elementary school students have been in the classroom during the first quarter of the year, and there will be no changes for them in the second quarter.
The option was supported by board president Sheril Logan and vice president Julie Hedrick along with board members Stan Reeser and Ernestine Krehbiel. Board members Ben Blankley and Ron Rosales voted no and board member Mike Rodee was absent.
