Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

School Reopening Plans Firm Up

Potter-Dix Opens Aug. 19 And Banner Aug. 17; Kimball Next To Decide

Monday, July 27 the Potter-Dix School Board approved the proposed reopening plan in a 6-0 vote. School will start Aug. 19 with an 11:30 a.m. dismissal.

The proposal included information about pre-testing and assessing students to determine if skills are lacking and if there is a need for remedial instruction.

Plans are coming together for the 2020-21 school year across the area.

In other area school districts, Banner County School is set to open Aug. 17 and the Kimball School Board was expected to discuss reopening plans on Wednesday this week for Kimball Public Schools. (The board scheduled Kimball's opening day for Aug. 20.)

In Potter-Dix, the situation with COVID-19 is ever changing and plans may have to be modified, but the district is spending extra time cleaning and disinfecting.

The district also will be encouraging social distancing and hand washing, and hand sanitizer is available. Students will be assigned regular seating on busses to help identity close contacts.

Potter-Dix Superintendent Patrick stated that the "best way to keep school open is to keep kids home if they are sick."

According to the plan, "If there are any confirmed cases within the staff or students only the people required by PPHD would be quarantined and the rest of the district would function as planned."