MUSD School Reopening Update September 24, 2020       

Riverside County Moves to the Next Phase in Reopening
Interim Superintendent Dr. Gary Rutherford shared with the Board that Riverside County has entered the Red Tier on the CA State COVID Watch-list. This stage of the state’s framework (Substantial Risk) allows schools to reopen for on-campus instruction as early as two weeks from the date of release under strict conditions. These conditions include operating at no greater than 50% capacity with safety protocols in place (social distancing, face coverings, screening/ monitoring procedures, and cleaning/disinfecting practices).  In MUSD, these conditions can be met in the Hybrid AA/BB model, in which students attend school in cohort groups for two half-days each week, completing the week’s instruction in distance learning. When the county enters the Orange Tier (Moderate Risk) the Hybrid AA/BB model can transition to Traditional 5-days a week on-campus instruction, with safety enhancements.  A full-time Distance Learning+ enrollment will continue for families who do not choose to return to on-campus learning for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

Next Step: MUSD Parent/Employee Commitment Survey
The next step in re-opening our campuses is to reassign personnel and reconfigure student’s classroom assignments based on final enrollment decisions. To that end, a Commitment Survey will be pushed out next week to every parent and to each employee.  Participants will be required to commit to the Distance Learning+ or to In-Person instructional model to finish the 2020-21 school year.  Each respondent choosing the In-Person model will be asked for additional feedback to help the district finalize the design of that program to best meet the needs of our families and employees. For example, the district has the option of returning to Hybrid AA/BB as early as practicable, or continuing in Distance Learning+ with a return to full-time traditional instruction when the County reaches Orange Tier 3.  It is important to note that families with multiple children must complete a form for each student, reflecting his/her unique program needs.  The results of this Commitment Survey will be used by Administration to finalize a plan for the Governing Board’s consideration at the next meeting on October 13, 2020.

Upcoming Update Regarding On-campus Instruction and MUSD’s Reopening Plan
District administration will provide a detailed update on MUSD’s reopening plan, associated timelines, and action steps at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on October 13, 2020 at 4:30PM. We look forward to sharing those details and information and encourage all MUSD Stakeholders to tune into the meeting by visiting the MUSD website at www.menifeeusd.org and selecting the Board Meeting Live link.