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BCSD will remain in hybrid model, schools exempt from stage 2 restrictions.

by VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ
Staff Writer | November 15, 2020 6:15 PM

BONNERS FERRY — According to a news release from Boundary County School District, schools will continue to operate under the designation they were given during the Nov. 5 special meeting.

The news release responds to Gov. Brad Little’s reopening plan moving to a modified stage 2 reopening; educational activities are exempt from the restrictions, defined as activities involving students taught by an educator in a school or equivalent setting.

Mount Hall, Valley View, Boundary County Middle School, and Bonners Ferry High School are currently in yellow, Category 2 (hybrid model), and Naples is in the Green, Category 1.

Superintendent Jan Bayer stated, “We are waiting on guidance for our extra/co-curricular activities from IHSAA. At this time, teams will continue to practice and play, but spectators will be extremely limited.”

According to the modified stage 2 reopening, “Extracurricular activities, including athletics, practice, matches, performances, and games, may continue. Participants necessary for the extracurricular activity to occur include, but are not limited to, players, instructors, coaches, officials, and personnel to broadcast the activity.”

Nonparticipant attendance, including spectators, are still required to follow requirements in the Stage 2 order.

Bayer requests that meetings of more than 10 people be scheduled as a zoom or Google Hangouts remotely to avoid any additional spread.

“We will continue to keep you informed as more details develop.” Bayer said, “Our priority is to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment, and our goal is to keep our students in school.”

BCSD continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation as community spread increases, requiring the school district to make difficult decisions.

Currently, there are 147 active, positive cases of coronavirus in Boundary County.

“Working together and continuously practicing preventive measures in and out of school will help us keep our students, parents/guardians, and community healthy and safe.” Bayer said, “By doing so, we can keep our school doors open, continue the learning process, and maintain our extra/co-curricular activities.”