Edmond Board Votes To Return To 4-Day In-Person School Week

Some Edmond Public Schools students will be spending more time in the classroom in just ten days.

The board voted unanimously Monday in favor of four days a week in-person learning. The other day will be virtual.

Board members listened to a number of impassioned and frustrated parents Monday night who said they're tired, angry, and fed-up. After nearly a year they said it was time to get back into school.

Frustration coming to a head from both parents and students.

“It’s beyond frustration at this point because I don’t see anything when I look at the CDC data, the science of other schools across the globe, and why we aren’t in class I wonder why?” said one parent.

Parents told board members they are at their wits end.

“All of our children and friends are seeing issues we haven’t seen before, and grades are starting to suffer,” said another parent.

Under the new plan students currently on the A/B schedule will return to the classroom four days a week.

Wednesdays will be for distance learning.  Current virtual students will remain virtual.

And while parents said they weren’t satisfied; the district feels it's a compromise.

“Very upset, of course it's a win to get double the schooling, but that extra day makes a difference, so that's disappointing,” said one mother.

“Remember we not only have to keep students and families in mind, but our staff and we have staff still very concerned about returning to the classroom. This strikes a balance,” said Edmond Public Schools public information officer Susan Parks-Schlepp.

The district said about 2/3 of their staff members have been vaccinated, and that they are offering vaccinations to substitute teachers.