COLUMBUS, Ohio - A draft plan being discussed by Ohio’s top education officials gives a glimpse at just how different learning may be when school if the state allows classes to resume this fall amid the continuing coronavirus crisis.

21 News has obtained a document titled “Reset & Restart – Education Planning Guide for Ohio School Districts.” 

That report can be read in its entirety here. 

The Department of Education has clearly labeled the document as a “Draft- for discussion and development purposes” designed as a framework to inform schools in deciding how best to implement instruction.

Still being developed with input from educators and educator-related organizations, parents, and students, the 12-page document notes that other than daily health precautions, the proposal does not mandate requirements for any school district.

Acknowledging that Ohio will likely not return to normalcy until there is a COVID-19 vaccine or a cure, the document says Ohio’s education system will need to be “flexible and nimble”.

Schools should expect “flare-ups” of coronavirus.  To keep the number of COVID-19 cases below the healthcare system’s capacity to treat them, schools would need to have additional measures.

Measures such as physical distancing, handwashing, sanitizing, masks, and other health care precautions should be mandated as part of a daily protocol, according to the draft plan.

The Ohio Department of Health says schools should take daily precautions including a requirement that staff and students take their temperature each morning and staying home if above 100 degrees, particularly if they have symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath.

Those becoming ill at school should be sent home and placed in a separate isolation room overseen by school personnel who is also wearing a mask.

Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet apart for everyone on school grounds and those using school transportation can be emphasized with visual cues such as floor markings.

Efforts should be made to create schedules that will minimize the number of students and staff in common spaces including hallways, cafeteria, etc.

The draft plan would require everyone in school or using school transportation to wear facemasks. Additionally, school nurses or personnel who care for sick persons should wear Personal Protective Equipment.

 Schools should make hand sanitizer and sanitizing products available for personnel and students, especially in high traffic areas, including at each school entrance and in every classroom.

Surfaces, especially high-touch areas should be frequently cleaned and sanitized.  Cleaning and disinfection should be done after students leave a facility or classroom, including between class changes, between groups in the cafeteria, and after each school day.

The draft also calls for educating students and staff about proper health practices.

School visitors should be prohibited or limited to emergency situations. Any visitor should be screened for symptoms and have their temperature taken.

Families and staff would be required to notify the school if they have been exposed to COVID-19 and are quarantined, or if a family member has been diagnosed with or presumed to have COVID-19.

Personnel and students with known exposure to someone with diagnosed or presumed COVID-19 would be required to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

Anyone who travels out of Ohio or to a location with known community spread must self-quarantine at home for 14 days. Guidelines should be considered for not penalizing students and personnel during required quarantine periods.

Those with confirmed COVID-19 may return to work or school after the fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medication and respiratory symptoms improve and they have two negative COVID-19 test results.

Persons with presumed COVID-19 may return to work or school when at least 7 days have passed since symptom onset and 72 hours after fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medication and respiratory symptoms improve.

Through a partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, the following additional precautions required during COVID-19 flare-ups are outlined below.

  • Partner with local health departments to determine the precautions necessary.
  • Playground equipment cannot be used.
  • Prohibit gatherings of 10 or more.
  •  Increased cleaning procedures must be implemented for all objects shared by students or personnel.
  • Take temperatures of personnel and students upon arrival and send them home if 100F or above or if the employee or student is experiencing other symptoms.
  • Utilize remote learning (electronically or paper format). Provide take-home meals for students who participate in free/reduced lunch programs.

The document encourages the continued use of distance learning but acknowledges that issues such as internet availability must be considered by school districts.

Schools should develop ways to support students and engage their families in the learning process.

The document is not finalized, and the Department of education is still working on recommendations for health concerns for student transportation and what to do about sports and other extra-curricular activities.