After learning virtually since the beginning of the school year, Wichita middle and high school students will be able to return to in-person classes next month.
The school board voted 4 to 2 Tuesday night to allow some students back under a hybrid model starting Nov. 9. Member Mike Rodee was absent.
Half of each class will be in-person while the other half learns remotely before switching later in the week.
Board member Ben Blankley voted against the hybrid model.
"I don't think it's achieving the best of in-person and remote learning," he said. "I think it's achieving the worst of both."
Board member Stan Reeser said in-person classes are better than the stress remote learning is creating for students and parents.
"I think also if you look at what we've done with the elementary level school we have shown that we can do in person learning if we take precautions," he said.
Students can still learn entirely online if their parents selected that option at the start of the school year.
In mid-November, families will be able to choose whether they want to enroll their student in virtual or in-person learning for the semester beginning in January.
