A letter was read to the Weatherly Area School Board asking for in-person instruction to begin. Students Madilyn Hinkle, Kelly Royer, Lilli Kunkle and Isabella Wagner prepared the two-page letter and surveyed students in grades 9 to 12, getting over a third of the high school students to respond.

Hinkle, as the group spokesperson, explained their survey results. Their first question found responders 63% less motivated by the online schedule, with 35% being as motivated as if in person. The second question about the online workload showed 53.8% feeling overwhelmed by it, to 46% finding the work acceptable to good. Of those surveyed, 38.5% were overwhelmed by the Zoom/Google Meet schedules.

Nearly 77% of those taking part want to return to the hybrid schedule of two days in person and two synchronous classes, plus a day of asynchronous. The rest preferred to stay online.

It was suggested in the letter that students could return to the high school on Jan. 18 “if the coronavirus regulations allow.”

Hinkle, along with Royer, spoke about how difficult it has been since the middle school returned to in-person learning, but the high school students were left online. They point out that the high school has half the district student population, and a building adequate for safe in-person education.

The students concluded by asking to be part of the discussion on how to return to in-person classes.

During the discussion that followed among board members, Superintendent Teresa Young explained that staffing would need to be boosted in order to keep surfaces clean to open the high school. A suggestion was made by board member Brian O’Donnell that some of the kids could work (they’d have to be 16 or older it was pointed out). Another idea was to hire a temporary cleaning service in support of the regular staff.

Other ideas included going without lockers as other districts have done.

No decision was made. The students earned praise from the board members and administrators for their work.

In other business

The board approved Lee Zink for another 5-year term as a member of the Carbon Career & Technical Institute Authority; approved three short leaves of absence for staff; and approved the stipends for 22 educators and staff for clubs and activities; plus two volunteers.

Readings of updates to policies were approved. Revisions to the athletic program’s COVID-19 plan were approved. Bills were paid.

The 2020-21 budget resolution was approved.

The only public comment was a question about the cost of right-to-know requests. An answer was promised in January.

A wish of merry Christmas was offered as the meeting wrapped up.