MCPS trustees urged to side with safety on decision to open schools

(KPAX) Parents and teachers are urging Missoula County Public Schools trustees to put safety first they consider whether to re-open physical classes, or continue with distance learning.

Trustees took online public comments during a remote school board meeting Tuesday evening as administrators try to adjust to the continued challenges of the coronavirus.

Superintendent Rob Watson is already recommending the district continue with distance learning. He said the state's guidelines present too many obstacles to re-open.

And the teachers and parents told the board the same thing.

"I feel like we should also revisit policies regarding people's temperatures and escalated temperatures and sending people home because of temperature variation being a part of COVID-19 and people being otherwise potentially silent carriers," said Missoula mother Sara Bendt.

The board will reconvene at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 1, and announce its final decision. Public comment will be shared with the Board of Trustees before any decisions are made.