Virtual Learning Resumes Thursday for Combs District

A Special Governing Board meeting was held August 19, 2020 to discuss the start of in-person instruction in the J.O. Combs Unified School District.

A vote was made to resume virtual learning for all students tomorrow, August 20, 2020.  A special meeting will be held on August 27 to reevaluate the health metrics. If they are met at that time, in-person instruction will resume on August 31.

The following letter, written by Superintendent, Dr. Gregory A. Wyman, was sent to Combs Unified families this evening.

I want to sincerely thank you for your patience as we've engaged with our employees and community to resolve this week's staffing issues and determine safe plans for the return of in-person instruction. Tonight, the Combs Governing Board voted (4-1) to resume virtual instruction only, starting Thursday, August 20, 2020.

A Special Board Meeting will be held on August 27, 2020 to review the metrics issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services. If upon evaluating these metrics they are all met, in-person instruction will resume on Monday, August 31, 2020. At that time, families would still be given the choice of participating in in-person or virtual learning.

As all students continue with virtual learning, they will continue the modified schedule released week two, which includes three hours blocks of daily direct instruction time. As previously shared, students will still be provided assignments that align with a full school day, and will still have access to their teacher for office hours and questions. Breakfast and lunch meal service for students will continue to be available for pick up at all elementary schools between 6:30 am and 8:00 am. After school and extracurricular activities will resume on Thursday, August 20 and will continue to follow all guidelines outlined in the Pandemic Response Plan.

This difficult decision comes after careful consideration of the safety concerns of staff and families, as well as the evaluation of key operational factors necessary to safely educate our students.

We are well aware that the issue surrounding the reopening schools is a polarizing one throughout the country, and while our community is also deeply divided on these matters, we can all ultimately agree that providing high quality education for our children remains the highest priority.

As always, we encourage you to continue to visit www.jocombs.org/returntoschool/ for the the latest updates and communication regarding the District's return to school. Also available on this web page is our comprehensive Pandemic Response Plan which details our proactive health measures to keep our staff and community safe.

We know that the recent days have been difficult for our students and families, and that the decision made tonight will continue to generate emotion on both sides. It is the unfortunate reality that no decision will satisfy everyone, but we will continue to make the right decisions for those who matter most: our students.