Pueblo School Board passes guidelines to reopen K-12 D60 classrooms by August 31

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Pueblo School Board passed guidelines Thursday evening that would allow D60 classrooms to reopen by August 31.

In a special meeting, a plan for reopening schools in Pueblo was laid out for residents and staff. Board members voted 4-1 in favor of the plan.

The plan states students in K-5 would receive in-person learning four days a week. Students in grades 6-12 would follow a hybrid teaching schedule, with two in-person school days and two days from home each week.

All families will also be given the option to choose remote learning if they feel safer that way, according to D60. All students K-12 will be given a device to continue their education online as well.

“There is nothing that can compare to in person instruction," said Suzanne Morey, the D60 assistant superintendent. "That being said we have to acknowledge health and safety precautions.”

The school district's guidelines closely follow the advice from the Centers for Disease Control, the Colorado Department of Educations, and both state and local health departments.

Mike Maes, the president of the Pueblo Education Association, said many of their teachers believe classrooms should remain closed during the start of the school year. However, the plan also allows teachers to teach remotely if they feel safer to do so.

"Frankly their biggest fear is dying, whether it’s the adults or the students," Maes said. “Many of them are already in a high-risk category, they have family members who are high risk, so there is a lot of fear of that worst-case scenario.”

Should COVID-19 case numbers in Pueblo rise, officials for D60 said they also hold the power to close classrooms again and revert back to remote learning.