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WHEELING -- Ohio County Schools will move forward with a plan for students to be in school two days a week to begin the school year.
Superintendent Kim Miller presented the school district's re-entry plan to board of education members Monday night, telling them the "Level 2" plan likely will be in place for at least the first two weeks of the school term.
Level 2 calls for half the students to be in school two days a week, and their remaining classmates to report on two other days.
The schools would be cleaned on Wednesdays when no students are scheduled to be there, and teachers would have the day to plan lessons.
When not in school, students would be doing remote learning at home. Students in pre-K through second grade will be provided with an Ipad for remote learning, while students in grades 3-12 will receive Chromebooks.
Further details -- such as which students report on what days -- are still being discussed, according to Miller.
"We have created a framework, and within that framework we will make adjustments based upon information we are receiving right now," she said. "Our intention is to begin the school year at a Level 2 for two weeks so we can monitor what is happening in our community."
Based on changes in the number of local coronavirus cases, the school district could call for a change from Level 2 to a different level.
The plan states that under "Level O" students would return to school under a traditional five day week.
Under Level 1, all students would go to school four days a week, with one day being a cleaning day.
Level 2 is the two-day hybrid model in which half the students will be at school, and the other half at home doing remote learning.
If a Level 3 is called, all students would stay home for remote learning.
Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones said he intends to make the level call for the following school week on Wednesdays so families can prepare for what to do the following Monday morning.
It is likely different level calls could be made for different buildings. If there appears to be a high number of students exposed to the coronavirus at one school and not others, a higher level designation would be called for that school, he explained.
Jones said the school district will be working with the Ohio County Health Department to make the decision each week.
Plans for transportation and meals at school still are being determined, according to Miller.
She said there likely will be "grab and go" meals available at schools. The school district also will survey parents on how many want to drive their children to school, and if they are concerned about them riding a school bus.
Cleaning products and masks have been ordered, and principals are determining the best pathways for one-way hallways and stairwells in their schools, Miller said.
The board will next meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the board office, 2203 National Road, Elm Grove. Meetings also are being streamed live over the Ohio County Schools Facebook page.