Troy and Libby administrators report smooth back to school transitions

After planning all summer, school officials in Troy and Libby put reopening guidelines to the test on Aug. 26 when they welcomed students back into classrooms.

Though the first few school days during the coronavirus pandemic have required adjustment from students, staff and parents, overall officials said the start was smoother than anticipated.

Ron Goodman, superintendent of the Libby Public School District, noted that while new regulations and shorter days have kept teachers busy, he has not received many complaints.

At Libby Elementary School, Andrew Stiger, assistant principal, said educators have had to spend time doing “teach-to's” on hand sanitizing and socially distancing practices. Nevertheless, he said teachers are happy to be back in the classroom.

“We all got into this profession to work with kids,” Stiger said.

Kaide Dodson, Libby Elementary School Principal could not be reached for comment. According to Stiger, she is on leave. Goodman declined to comment on the reason for her absence.

Goodman reported that only 20 percent of students have registered for remote learning. As schools continue to successfully manage in-person learning, Goodman expressed confidence that more parents would opt to send their children back into classrooms.

To reduce the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in schools, Libby students are required to wear face coverings in classrooms. Though Goodman recognized that wearing a mask for many hours a day could be taxing for students and staff, he said it was the best way to mitigate the spread of respiratory droplets that might carry the virus.

Social distancing in Libby classrooms, he said, is next to impossible. He pointed out that the district's main conference room, which has 200 seats, could only host 40 socially distanced people at a time.

Goodman noted that requiring masks also protects Libby teachers that are especially susceptible to COVID-19 due to age or compromised immune systems. Throughout the day, Goodman said Libby students receive short breaks outdoors where they can take off their masks.

At Troy Public Schools, Superintendent Jacob Francom has opted for strict seating charts in classrooms instead of requiring masks. He noted that county health department officials ask those who spend more than 15 minutes within six feet of a person who tests positive for the coronavirus to quarantine. By keeping students socially distanced within these parameters, Francom said Troy schools would be able to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Both Francom and Stiger recognized that keeping elementary school students socially distanced would be nearly impossible. If one of these students were to test positive for the virus, they anticipated that the entire classroom would have to quarantine.

While keeping students socially distanced on buses was one of Goodman’s primary concerns this summer, he said this worry has dissipated as more parents have started driving their children to school. Goodman said on Aug. 28 that the reduced number of students using the service meant that he could run the buses as normal.

Leading up to the start of classes, Goodman planned to limit the district’s busing service to students at least three road miles away from school. Buses would have provided some select courtesy pickups for students living inside the three-mile radius who could not safely get to school otherwise.

To get students to school in Troy, Francom said he had to add three bus routes. This required bringing on a new driver and bus.

While the first few days of school have gone well, educators recognized the success of their plans will be determined in the coming weeks.

“I’m curious to know what it will look like going forward,” said Goodman.