BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: Video is from February's decision for students to return to class in the hybrid model, before the full-time decision was made March 9 then later reversed on March 6.
The Bowling Green City School board reversed course on plans to return all students to the classroom for in-person learning five days a week during a meeting March 16.
The decision came in a 3-2 vote, overturning the board's previous unanimous decision during a special meeting March 6 during which the board approved plans for full-time in-school sessions for all students starting March 29. Instead, the school will stay in the hybrid learning model until a date return to the classroom five days a week is decided.
One board member said during the March 16 meeting, "Since last week's workshop meeting, I have thought long and hard about the resolution passed to return to five day face-to-face education. Yes, I did vote in favor of this resolution, as did all of the board members. As the discussion before the vote unfolded, it was clear to me that it was highly likely that three positive votes would be cast. The magnitude and impact of this decision pushed my vote and subsequent vote toward the need of board solidarity on this contentious and complex issue."
The district welcomed students back to the classroom for the first time in almost a year, learning under a hybrid model, at the end of Februray.
"It's just great to hear kids in a hallway again, kids in the classroom. Teachers actually having kids in the classroom is really cool to see again," Superintendent Francis Scruci said when classes resumed in a hybrid model.
Principal Eric Radabaugh said everything went as well as staff imagined, all thanks to the preparation and hard work done beforehand to get everyone ready for their return.
"Lots of behind the scenes meetings, lots of meetings with teachers; videos that have been created for the students. But, it seems that it's being well received and the kids are doing a great job following that so far," Radabaugh said.
Scruci said safety was the biggest concern with returning, and leaders wouldn't go ahead with it until they felt comfortable.
Bowling Green City Schools is the last district to return to some form of in-person learning in Wood County.