MONROE — As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the community, the School District of Monroe Board of Education met via Zoom Teleconference Sept. 28 to discuss changes to the COVID-19 supplemental handbook. The original handbook was approved July 27.

Changes to the handbook included updates regarding staff quarantine and leave.

“We learn through experience, we had to make some changes,” District Administrator Rick Waski said. “We’re trying to exemplify that this is a living document.”

The meeting came just one day before the Monroe Middle School switched into the all-virtual Plan C method of schooling due to two additional positive COVID-19 cases within the building. The school will remain in Plan C through Oct. 10. 

The staff also heard from high school teacher Ryan Strunz during public comment. He discussed with the board the consequences of a hybrid model of learning, in which the district began. 

Strunz surveyed 55 members of the high school’s teaching staff and received 44 responses. Of those who responded, 61% considered the hybrid model of learning, with half of a class online and half in person, to be more difficult and stressful. 

Due to the unique set up of the hybrid model, teachers will often find themselves working long additional hours to plan lessons for both the in person students and the virtual students. 

Strunz noted the potential for staff burnout to occur if the hybrid model remains in place, but stated that he and his colleagues would continue working in whatever way the district requires of them.