Williamson, Franklin Special students to head back to school as COVID-19 spread slows - Tennessean

Kerri Bartlett Nashville Tennessean

Published 8:46 PM EDT Aug 14, 2020

All Williamson County Schools and Franklin Special School District students will finally begin heading back to classrooms for on-campus learning after an almost six-month long hiatus from campuses.

After weeks of waiting and debate as schools grapple with safe reopening plans amid COVID-19, WCS announced on Friday a multi-phased plan that will have students back in their classroom seats by the end of August. 

FSSD announced that all students will return Aug. 24.

The Williamson County Board of Education met along with superintendent Jason Golden on Thursday evening for four hours. During that time, the phased-plan was never mentioned.

However, Golden announced a district decision would be made by Friday evening.

School board member Rick Wimberly, 9th District, inquired about a possible phased reopening by grade during the meeting, while Golden replied that could be a possibility.

The WCS phased plan allows students to return incrementally by grade level.

WCS elementary students in early childhood education and pre-K through second grade were ushered back to on-campus learning beginning Aug. 7, while students in grades 3-12 participate in remote learning for the first two weeks of school. 

As of Friday, coronavirus spread in Williamson County dropped to .49%, or 1,180 active cases showing "low" community spread, according to the Williamson County Emergency management metric compiled from data from the Tennessee Department of Health.

The number of active cases in Williamson County has slowly reduced over the past three weeks and reduced by 57 cases in just the past 24 hours and an average of 21 less cases over a seven day period. 

About three weeks ago, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson ordered county residents to wear a mask while in public, primarily with a goal of reopening schools.

Anderson’s mask order remains in effect.

District officials believe this action was paramount to school being able to reopen. 

"Our local authorities and service providers have shared that this reduced rate has been positively felt in their services," a WCS announcement to families said on Friday.

"Our screenings, mask requirement and other safety protocols have worked well for our students and staff who have been on campus during our medium protocol."

However, the district also warned that once all school building open, the virus will not completely go away.

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Pearcy stated in previous press conferences that when schools reopen there will be positive cases.

"We are dependent on the local health department‘s work in those cases to ensure that they have the staff to conduct contact tracing when those events occur," the district announcement said.

The district explained that the phased-in approach will help ensure that safety protocols can be implemented properly and that appropriate contact tracing by the health department can take place.

"This approach gives us the best chance for sustained traditional/on-campus learning," the announcement said.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, August 24

• All elementary school students, including Pre-K and EC, will be on their school campus for on-campus learning. Bus service will be offered, and cafeterias will serve meals. Students in six through twelfth grades will remain remote.

Friday, August 28

• Sixth and ninth grade students will return to campus for on-campus learning. This will allow the newest learners at these school campuses to become familiar with the building, school day, etc. Bus service will be offered, and cafeterias will serve meals.

Monday, August 31

• All traditional students will be on-campus. Bus service will be offered, and cafeterias will serve meals.

WCS Online Program students will continue with their online program of study through the entire semester.

"Should community spread conditions worsen, adjustments to these next steps may need to be made," the district said.

At the Williamson County Boar of Education work session on Thursday, WCS Superintendent Jason Golden said his major concern at this time is a shortage of substitutes, special education assistants and technology staff.

However, human resources director Vickie Hall said that WCS is in "good shape" as far as classroom teachers go. 

"We just have a few positions to fill such as Spanish teachers, but that's normal for us each year," she said.

"I see brighter days ahead," Golden said at the work session. 

Kerri Bartlett covers issues affecting children, families, education and government in Williamson County. She can be contacted at kbartlett@gannett.com, 615-308-8324 or @keb1414 on Twitter.

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