Can HSE Schools open in-person learning? Maybe, but with many mitigation strategies

LarryInFishers.com
This is the school mitigation strategy presented to the school board Friday morning. Health Department officials say Fishers is in the moderate risk category now, but very close to significant risk

“We had a lot of questions from the community posed to us from a public health perspective – can schools open?” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness looked at members of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and administrators as he and officials from the Fishers Health Department briefed them on recommendations about when and how school buildings may open locally.

City health officials and Mayor Fadness say the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Fishers is in the Moderate Risk category (yellow in the chart above) but moving very close the Significant Risk column (Level 3 beige color above).

The decision to open school buildings is dependent on a long list of factors determined by data, not just one piece of data or a small segment, according to city health officials.  All must be analyzed in making such a decision.

The mayor emphasized that schools could open, but under what circumstances, when and with which mitigation policies are all decisions to be made by the school district.  The city and health department can advise and recommend, but school officials make the final decision.

“I shudder at the significant challenges that all of you have,” Fadness told the school board.  The city’s role is to explain to school officials where the community stands from a public health standpoint.  The mayor emphasized the city is prepared to continue its 15-year record of cooperation with the HSE Schools.

As to when school buildings may open again, and under what circumstances, Superintendent Allen Bourff  said any change from virtual learning to some form of in-person instruction would only happen with a two-week notice to parents.

The Fishers Health Department explained that mitigation strategies should vary.  For example, elementary and intermediate students and staff are at a lower risk of COVID-19 infection, although there remains some risk.  Most elementary classes remain together during the school day.

Junior High and High School students and staff face a much more challenging set of risks.

No decisions were made at the Friday morning HSE School Board work session.