Portage schools opts to continue virtual classes for most students

Portage Public Schools will continue to hold classes virtually for all its middle and high school students for the foreseeable future. The district’s Board of Education made the decision at its meeting Monday night.

What happened: The district had been considering moving its middle and high school students from virtual classes to a hybrid model. The district defines “hybrid” as having some students meet in person while the class is broadcast online to other students at home.

In a survey, 53.9% of parents said they preferred the hybrid model. But teachers were mostly cool to the idea, saying it would make their jobs more complicated while also potentially exposing them to COVID-19.

The district’s Twelfth Street Elementary is currently closed to in-person classes due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, infection rates are soaring throughout Kalamazoo County.

What’s next: The district could reconsider the plan at its next meeting on November 23.

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