Schuylkill County superintendents met on Wednesday to discuss school reopening options.

Joining the 12 Schuylkill County high school superintendents were Schuylkill County Emergency Management and Lehigh Valley Health Network representatives.

“PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) gives flexibility to the school districts to do their health and safety plans,” said Dr. Gregory Koons, executive director of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29.

“It is a challenge at the same time, because if we had uniform guidance, we would be held to that and it would be a little bit easier to make a decision. That was the purpose of yesterday’s meeting; how do we as 12 school districts get some consistency?”

The meeting lasted more than three hours. At the end of it, the group drafted a public letter.

“Our communities need to know that public education is still hard at work and we are looking forward to the school year and connecting with all of our students,” Koons said. “It’s a coordinated effort and unified approach for the best interest of the students.”

A news release noted many guiding principles developed by the group after reviewing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the PDE, the American Association of Pediatrics and the Schuylkill County Emergency Management and Health Care Providers.

The group came up with seven principles that all started with “we believe.”

Daily screening of students and staff was the first principle mentioned. Regularly disinfecting schools and high-touch surfaces inside each venue is also a high priority. Staff and visitors should wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizers as needed, especially before and after lunch and while entering a building.

The group backed the idea of social distancing as much as possible, and that face coverings should be worn by students, staff and faculty within each building as per July 1 guidance from the Department of Health.

Another principle stated that virtual education may be a preference for some students and families.

“Our public school districts are getting much better with technology,” said Koons. “We also have more technology than we ever had. Our districts are ramping up with the professional development, because as you know our public school teachers weren’t trained this way. This is a whole new approach.”

The Schuylkill superintendents have been meeting regularly since schools were ordered to close in March.

A second health and safety planning session is scheduled for July 22 at the Schuylkill Technology Center to dive deeper into reopening plans.