New metrics, but more cases: Bend-La Pine Schools still face hurdle to reopening

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A rise in Deschutes County COVID-19 cases is further delaying reopening of in-person classes for Bend-La Pine Schools, even under the new state metrics released last week, an official told families on Monday.

Here's the message sent late Monday by Interim Superintendent Dr. Laura Nordquist:

Bend-La Pine Schools' Families,

As I mentioned Friday, Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Colt Gill announced a large shift in the COVID-19 case metrics established to reopen our schools. These changes were meant to ease return-to-classroom restrictions and make opening our schools, starting with elementary schools, much easier to accomplish.

However, climbing COVID-19 cases in Deschutes County have thwarted our best intentions to begin bringing students, starting with K-3, back to the classroom, early this month. In fact, the numbers of new cases are so high that we are already in jeopardy of missing the mark when next week’s results are released, as well.

See updated metrics on our Return to School webpage

This is frustrating news, as we are eager to bring our youngest students back to school and look forward to transitioning our grades 4-5 students soon after, and finally our middle and high school students.

New State Guidelines Defined

The new guidelines announced by Gov. Kate Brown make several changes:

• Schools can now open when the county has 100 cases per 100,000 population over the course of two weeks (this is a change from weekly measures of 30 per 100K for grades K-3 and 10 per 100K for grades 4-12)
• The metrics are measured on a two-week rolling average (previously schools needed to meet the metrics for three straight weeks before reopening)
• State positivity rate will no longer be included (only county case positivity will be taken into account)
• All elementary school grades are grouped together, including up to grade 6, if offered in elementary school.

Case counts and metrics are posted to our website and social media pages, usually late Monday afternoons.

We continue to be committed to providing the very best possible teaching and learning as we continue in Comprehensive Distance Learning and Limited In-Person Instruction.

Thank you for your patience and support and for being our partners in this journey.

Lora Nordquist,
Interim Superintendent