(Updated September 4) 

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted 4-3 Thursday night to move grades 5-12 to a 50% hybrid method, which means students will be in the classroom 50% of the time over a 2-week period.  This goes into effect Thursday, September 17.

Sylvia Shepler, Amanda Shera, Brad Boyer and Clint Wilson voted yes…..Michelle Fullhart, Janet Pritchett and Julie Chambers voted no.

Board President Michelle Fullhart says she is in favor of moving students back into classrooms, but voted no because she wanted a September 14 start date for the 50% hybrid system for in-person classes.

Students up to grade 4 are scheduled to begin a similar program September 8.

An amendment to start school Monday, September 21st, was not approved by the board.

Administrators told board members there are 34 permanent substitute teachers on staff and 240 of the 297 regular subs answered a survey, with 56% saying they want to wait before returning to the classroom.  Some regular substitute teachers told the school district they would work, but no more than 1-2 days a week during the current pandemic.

The board was told there would be enough bus drivers to transport students, but staffing is very tight.