This morning, Governor Kate Brown, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority, announced new metrics for reopening K-12 schools. The revised metrics, which will make it easier for schools to open than the previous metrics, can be viewed here. In addition, the Oregon Department of Education has released an updated version of the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance, which can be viewed here. Some of the most significant changes include:
- The use of a single case rate across a two week period, rather than meeting case rates for three individual, consecutive weeks
- The removal of state-level case rates as a determining factor for in-person (Hybrid) instruction
- Specific categories for county case rates and test positivity that will help to guide decisions for transitioning between CDL and Hybrid models
Based on an initial review of the revised metrics, it does not appear that Washington County schools meet the metrics to reopen at this time. As we learn more, our district will be communicating with our families, staff members, and the greater Sherwood community about what this means for our schools. In addition to reviewing the updated guidance, our district will be working with our county public health authorities to better understand their capacity to keep our community safe given the new metrics.