No Decision Made On When OKCPS Students Return To The Classroom 4 Days A Week

Oklahoma City Public Schools' parents are waiting to learn what the end of the year will look like for their students. 

Tuesday, March 9th 2021, 4:40 pm



Oklahoma City Public Schools' parents are waiting to learn what the end of the year will look like for their students. 

There were hours of discussion by the OKCPS school board at Monday's meeting about potentially bringing kids back four days a week. 

Three different options were presented: 

  1. No change from the A/B model the district is currently using
  2. Bringing elementary kids back first on April 5 and then see how things go
  3. Bring everyone back 4 days a week all on April 5

"I think that it is the board's decision to make these decisions," said District 1 Board Member Charles Henry. 

Right now, it's all up to the superintendent. Board members voted to give him more authority due to COVID in 2020. Now, some members, like Henry, want that to change.

Since the discussion was not listed as an action item, a vote wasn't possible. The superintendent couldn't speak on Tuesday, but staff told News 9 he will be talking with the district's COVID task force, the county health department and others before making a decision.

Board members asked during the meeting if parents should expect a decision before spring break. Superintendent Sean McDaniel said not necessarily. District staff told News 9 they are hoping by Friday to have at least some information to give parents.

"Safety superseded instruction for this entire school year," said Mustang Public Schools' Superintendent Charles Bradley. 

Bringing kids back is just one of the many decisions schools all over the state, like Bradley's, are having to make at this point in the pandemic.

Bradley said for his district parent feedback is what made them open up options so parents could choose what was best. 

"Our middle schools through elementary have been face-to-face, five days a week since August," said Bradley. 

The Mustang superintendent said even with their options, they are still dealing with change.

On Monday, their school board voted to bring high school students back from an A/B schedule to four days in-person learning. 

During this time of change, he said he's relied heavily on the community, internal and county partners and other educators in the area.

"Its been a partnership," said Bradley. "What happens outside school walls gets brought in to the school walls."

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