Buncombe County Schools to return to virtual instruction after winter break

Board of education votes unanimously for Plan C through Jan. 19

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 18, 2020

Black Mountain Primary School and the remaining five schools in the Owen District of Buncombe County, will return to virtual instruction after winter break until Jan. 19. The Buncombe County Board of Education voted unanimously to amend its re-entry plan in a special-called meeting, Dec. 18. Photo by Fred McCormick

Students in the Buncombe County school system will return to virtual learning until Tuesday, Jan. 19, following the winter break.

The board of education voted unanimously to follow the recommendation of staff and utilize the Plan C option of the district’s “Return to Learn” re-entry plan in a Dec. 18 special-called meeting streamed live on the BCS YouTube channel. 

Superintendent Dr. Tony Baldwin opened the 7:30 a.m. meeting by highlighting the collaboration between the board and public health experts. 

“We are looking at county and state data, and across the country we are continuing to deal with post-Thanksgiving holiday impact,” he said. “It’s not only showing in the uptick of school-age children with positive COVID-19 cases, but the surge is also impacting our staff.”

Baldwin added that in order to successfully operate schools in the county, “we must have a healthy staff.”

“Especially over the next two weeks, we must continue to be diligent with the three W’s,” he continued. “Wear the mask, wait for spacing and wash those hands. What we have heard over and over from public health agencies, when you look at the data and research, wearing the mask reduces the susceptibility to COVID-19 by 77%.”

The board voted Dec. 3 to remain in the Plan B option, which allows students to receive on-campus instruction with a split schedule designed to reduce the daily number of children in attendance. 

“If we can continue to diligently follow the three W’s, it will give us a better opportunity to maximize bringing students back into the school buildings,” Baldwin said. 

Reynolds District Representative Cindy McMahon made a motion to adopt the recommendation of staff. 

“Jan. 4 will become a designated teacher workday, and Jan. 5-15, all student instruction will remain remote to provide an opportunity to monitor and assess the impact and community transmission of COVID-19 during the two-week winter break,” she said. “The intent of the board is to return district-wide school operations under Plan B beginning Jan. 19, to accommodate students who opted for in-person instruction.”

The board intends to return students to the classroom as soon as possible, McMahon added.

Buncombe County Schools will continue to provide meals for students during the return to virtual instruction, according to Baldwin. 

The district intends to provide resources for vulnerable populations, Baldwin continued, “but that will be dependent upon the staffing.”

Athletic programming will continue, also depending upon the health and availability of staff and student-athletes.

“I would like for the public to hear and understand that despite the fact that we are projecting Jan. 19 as a return to the A-B schedule, and that it’s our intent, this staff is working closely with the county health department,” Enka District Representative Max Queen said. “As we look at these factors, we’re making the best decision considering all aspects of the issue. What you hear in this motion is our intent, but we will be meeting again on Jan. 14.”

The board voted 7-0 to approve the amended re-entry plan.