PIERRE, SD – School superintendents across the state have been holding virtual meetings, trying to come up with plans to restart classes next month while some area schools are announcing start dates and guidelines.
The Associated School Boards of South Dakota has been coordinating the meetings. Executive Director Wade Pogany says superintendents are feeling the pressure. “The pressure I think they’re feeling is to not only to have the best interest of the kids in the state involved but also to communicate to parents, to teachers, that this is what we think this will look like>’
Pogany says they are hearing from parents too. “What we’ve heard from parents is that they want their kids in school. They have said, “We want them to be educated as best as possible. We know the conditions aren’t good but we’re up to the challenge.””
Districts and teachers will work to get kids caught up on their missed academics, according to the director. “We lost a whole quarter. Educators will be assessing that. And we’re not going to leave the children behind.”
Pogany says they will be coordinating more meetings right up to the start of school.
Meanwhile, the Meade School Board voted for students to return to in-person classes Sept. 8, the Douglas School Board voted to begin in-person classes Aug. 31, and the Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education won’t have its back-to-school plan (including a start date) ready until early August.
