LTUSD shares next phase of South Lake Tahoe school reopening plans

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) will be adopting their previously released Pandemic Educational Plan with some modifications as they move into Phase 2 starting October 12, 2020.

During their special meeting Monday, several parents, teachers and trustees voiced their opinions and concerns representing all sides, from keeping students in Phase 1, moving to Phase 2, as well as skipping to Phase 3.

"The District is extremely thankful to the community members and staff members who’ve expressed their interests and concerns throughout the reopening process," said LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler in an email Tuesday.

In consideration of the many hours of work and collaboration undertaken by the Reopening Task Force to create the Plan and parameters, the Board reached a general consensus to stay with the Plan as adopted on July 30, with a “Phase into Phase 2” modification presented by Cutler Monday.

This modification allows for a more focused approach at each school level and provides more time for the secondary schools to prepare their plan.

The “Phase into Phase 2” modification looks like this:

Elementary Level:

1. Anticipated start date is October 12, 2020 as planned.
2. Cohort A will attend Mondays and Tuesdays and Cohort B will attend Thursdays and Fridays.
3. Families will receive their cohort designation and continued communication from their school site principal beginning October 5.
4. All students are expected to wear masks and social distancing will be maintained. If a student does not have a mask, or forgets to wear a mask, one will be provided for them.

South Tahoe Middle School

1. Anticipated start date is November 2.
2. Hybrid schedules continue to be developed and adjusted.
3. Principal Simons and staff will present the hybrid schedule at the October 13 Board of Education meeting.

South Tahoe High School

1. Anticipated start date for labs and other specialty courses will start on November 2.
2. Anticipated start date for all students is November 30.
3. Hybrid schedules continue to be developed and adjusted.
4. Principal Sinkler and staff will present the plan for lab classes and specialty courses at the October 13 Board of Education meeting.
5. Principal Sinkler and staff will present the hybrid schedule at the November 10 Board of Education meeting.

"This new approach to Phase 2 was further discussed and evaluated by the District’s administration team today and was embraced as a unified decision and direction for the District - one that is felt to be in the best interests of our students, staff, families, and community as a whole," said Cutler.

Cutler said the County Public Health Department is aware of the “Phase into Phase 2” plan details and that they were very supportive.

The process of reopening of schools has been a challenging one for the new superintendent and staff as there is no single plan that satisfies all points of view. A task force worked all summer to create the Pandemic Educational Plan which detailed all three phases of reopening schools.

LTUSD will continue to provide communication to families and staff as additional details are worked out. They will also continue to update the Frequently Asked Questions document (as seen here).