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State lawmakers discuss how to return to in-person teaching

Right now, leaders are looking at what it would take to get kids back into the classrooms in August.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The conversation continues for how to get kids and staff safely back into the classroom. 

Northwest Ohio superintendents say they'd like answers sooner rather than later. That's because they need as much time as possible to prepare for what the year could look like.

On Tuesday, state lawmakers heard from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Federation of Teachers and other governing bodies to discuss schools reopening.

"I think more than ever before, we've verified the importance of the school setting and the importance of kids being in that school setting," BASA Director of Governmental Relations Kevin Miller said.

He says he feels like the state will give guidelines and let each district decide how that looks for them. 

Ultimately, some district plans will be different than others just because of how many students they have and what area they are in.

"We're going to have to evaluate and personalize learning like never before. So, really, the two words that we continue to use our flexibility and simplification," Miller said.

As the former superintendent for Ottawa Hills Local Schools, he knows the planning that goes into busing, class sizes, and serving meals in a lunchroom.

All of them are equally important, but he believes the biggest issue in bringing kids back is the 'what-ifs.'

"The virus will still be around when schools come back in August. What will you do if there is someone in your school who gets the virus, how will you deal with it? I think that's a big issue for them," Miller said.

Many districts in our area are waiting on a directive from Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department on Education before announcing what they plan to do for August.

RELATED: Districts evaluating state plan to reopen Ohio schools

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