By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's public schools will use a color-coded scale to decide what restrictions they'll put in place when they reopen this fall despite the coronavirus threat, state officials said Friday.
Schools considered to be least at-risk for spreading the virus will be labeled green on the scale, and students will attend classes as normal with some screening procedures in place, according to the Nebraska Department of Education.
Schools facing the greatest risk will be coded red, triggering a return to remote learning only and no participation in athletics.
Meanwhile, schools deemed to be at moderate risk will be categorized as yellow or orange and have restrictions that could include a reduction in the number of students allowed in the building at any one time and a mask requirement when feasible. A school's color will depend on local infection rates, available hospital space and other factors.
"This is going to be a difficult time for everybody, but we all have the goal of making sure kids go back in the classroom this fall," Gov. Pete Ricketts said at a news conference to discuss the state's plans.
Ricketts also reiterated that the state won't force local school districts to require masks.
Ricketts and Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said the state's reopening plan is based on conversations with school administrators, the state teachers union and public health officials. The color-coded system is similar to recommendations released by the Nebraska State Education Association, the union that represents Nebraska public school teachers.
Nebraska's coronavirus case numbers have slowly trended downward while cases in many other states have surged, but they ticked up briefly earlier this week, when the state confirmed 318 new cases on Tuesday before dipping back down again. Earlier in the pandemic, Nebraska experienced a surge in cases that came later than in other states.
A leading advocate for Nebraska's K-12 public school teachers said many are worried for their safety and feel that the state is moving too quickly to reopen schools and restart team sports programs.
"Teachers want to back to school, they want to be with kids, but they're concerned that there aren't enough safety measures being mandated, instead of just suggested," said Maddie Fennell, executive director of the Nebraska State Education Association.
Ricketts and Blomstedt said it's important for children to return to school for the social, physical, emotional and nutritional benefits that students may not get at home. Blomstedt said districts are also creating plans for students who contract the coronavirus, and their response "is going to be really dependent on good communication between the school and local health officials."
Nebraska's focus on local control has allowed schools to collaborate with teachers, parents, administrators, custodians and even officials from other school districts to figure out what works best for them, said Josh McDowell, the superintendent of Crete Public Schools.
"This is probably one of those instances where we're not going to have 100% consensus, no matter what we choose to do," McDowell said. "But we've been including people in the process from the beginning."
Nebraska has confirmed 22,134 known cases and 299 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began, according to the state's online tracking portal. State officials confirmed 155 new cases on Thursday.
Nebraska currently has 39% of its hospital beds available and 81% of its ventilators available, according to the tracking portal.
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