LAS VEGAS (AP) - A school district board in Nevada has voted unanimously Thursday to approve voluntary, small-group learning, taking a step toward reopening school buildings.
The Clark County School Board did not provide a timeline for implementation, including when principals might be expected to submit their site-specific plans for a limited return.
The district would remain under a distance learning model under the plan but would eventually allow schools to start providing in-person instruction for students who need more support.
The district would also start preparing to transition to a hybrid learning model for pre-K to third-grade students as outlined by an agreement with the Clark County Education Association.
Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara said the district continues to face challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We will continue to make the health and safety of students and staff a top priority,” Jara said.
The board also approved an agreement with the Clark County Education Association that lays out health and safety guidelines for teachers returning to schools under the hybrid learning model. The agreement states that teachers will participate in mandatory monthly COVID-19 testing, symptom screening and contact tracing, while the district will provide personal protective equipment.
Nevada reported 1,878 new cases and 40 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday. The latest numbers from Nevada health officials bring the state to 258,050 confirmed cases and 3,698 deaths since the pandemic began.
The statewide positivity rate was 21.6% on Friday.
The number of infections is thought to be higher because many people have not been tested and some people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Nevada officials are trying to ramp up vaccinations. But they say the effort has been constrained by uncertainty about what vaccine supply federal officials will provide in the weeks and months ahead.
Health officials say they expect to receive 36,000 doses next week as they work to vaccinate frontline workers, especially health care workers, and members of the public age 70 and above.
The state as of Thursday has administered 90,309 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including 15,000 that were second doses.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.