Burrell prepares for virtual instruction next year

The Burrell School District’s Academic Approach team is making plans for virtual instruction for next school year.

The district is planning to offer five days of virtual instruction and five days of face-to-face instruction, Superintendent Shannon Wagner told the school board earlier this week.

Each student will have have access to a Chromebook in the next school year. They will continue to use Google Classroom on the laptop, which will house most classroom materials and assignments, giving students 24/7 access to content.

Wagner surveyed student families recently and found that only 4% of the student population wants to be taught online next school year.

The district has been surveying families throughout the pandemic, gauging their interests in returning to in-person instruction or opting for virtual learning. Wagner said she feels comfortable with a 4% projection, which translates into about 72 students.

“The district is reviewing multiple options for virtual instruction,” Wagner said. Some of the possibilities are having teachers dedicated to only online classes. That could be one to two teachers at the elementary school. Or, specific class periods could be dedicated to virtual education, she said.

Burrell is also exploring partnerships with other districts to share classroom “seats” for virtual classes.

With only 72 students seeking a virtual education, that can limits possibilities, Wagner said.

“It would be better if we had more students, but I don’t want more,” she said. Wagner said she was thrilled that so many students want in-person instruction.

The district will continue to work on an emergency instructional plan for next school year, Wagner said.