Lompoc Unified School District will wait on waivers for in-person learning
LOMPOC, Calif. - The Lompoc unified school District is no rush to get students back in the classroom.
LUSD and the Lompoc Federation of Teachers (LFT) have decided to wait on applying for in-person instruction at this time, saying they are moving forward with caution to prevent putting the health and well-being of the community at risk.
District leaders said they understand the difficulties that come with distance learning and the desire to reopen schools. However, their first priority is the health and safety of students, staff, and community.
“We feel your pain. I, too, am a parent and have children 'zooming' from home while I also am trying to work, so I understand the complexities of trying to balance work life and home life and home school,” said Bree Valla, LUSD Deputy Superintendent.
Right now, schools across California must apply for a waiver and meet certain criteria to resume in-person instruction.
“The need for a waiver is because the positivity rate is still very high here,” said Skyler Petersen, President of Lompoc Federation of Teachers. “We have to prioritize health and safety for everyone. Staff, students and our community which would be impacted if elementary schools were to go through with this waiver process.”
The District and LFT will continue to work together to move toward a safe return to the classroom and plan to communicate regularly with that end goal in mind.
