Vancouver Public Schools cites errors in delay of reopening for middle school students

Vancouver Public Schools will delay its reopening plans for middle schools by one week because of technical issues and human error made in a survey given to families.

Surveys were sent out Wednesday to 4,665 families of middle-schoolers asking them to select one of three learning options for their students — twice-per-week hybrid instruction, full remote learning or online school through Vancouver Virtual Academy — as the district gears up to bring them back to the classroom.

However, Vancouver Public Schools spokeswoman Pat Nuzzo said Thursday the district’s internet service and third-party survey provider experienced network interruptions, causing a host of problems. Nuzzo said the survey also included errors in text and links. The district has since released a corrected survey, and families now have until Wednesday to complete it. Roughly 1,500 of the initial surveys were completed before the district sent out revised batches.

In response, Vancouver Public Schools is delaying hybrid learning for all middle school students. Sixth-graders are now scheduled to begin twice-a-week, in-person instruction Feb. 22, followed by seventh- and eighth-graders March 1.

The district stated on its website it regrets the confusion and frustration the glitches and errors caused, adding, “We are committed to taking the necessary time to ensure a successful transition to hybrid learning for our middle school students and their families.”

This week, the rate of new COVID-19 cases in Clark County dropped for the third consecutive week to 310.54, which puts the region in the “moderate” stage. According to revised state guidance, school districts can begin phasing in middle school students once activity levels reach the moderate range, which requires between 50 and 350 new cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days.

In Battle Ground, the district announced it plans to welcome its middle school students — gradesfive through eight — to hybrid learning Feb. 22. Evergreen Public Schools is finalizing its middle school hybrid plans and will notify families Friday, district spokeswoman Gail Spolar said.