LOWELLVILLE — The Lowellville school district is a step closer to opening the campus next month, with the school board on Monday agreeing to a re-entry plan.

Superintendent Geno Thomas presented two models to the board and 15 parents, as well as to people on Zoom: a traditional school setting and an online alternative for those not yet comfortable going back to school.

He noted how the plan has evolved over the last several months. “This is probably one of the most comprehensive plans” during his career, he said.

Thomas also stressed that everything is subject to change at a moment’s notice, much like everything for schools changed in March when the COVID-19 pandemic began to pick up.

The plan was established by administration, other local superintendents, the Mahoning County Department of Health, Ohio Department of Education, CDC and a transition task force.

Model One is a traditional school setting, Thomas said.

There will be “tents” on student desks that will allow them to be 3 feet apart, rather than 6 feet without any guards, Thomas said.

Facial coverings are necessary for all students when they are not at their desks, Thomas said.

Temperatures will be taken when a student enters the building, but Thomas said parents are encouraged to check the student’s temperature daily. Temperatures of 100 degrees are asked to stay home, along with other COVID-19 symptoms.

Stairwells will flow in one direction, Thomas said.

A “rich dialogue” between staff has happened regarding how lockers will be utilized. Staff are taking into consideration not having heavy book bags for students, Thomas said.

At the end of each class, Thomas said another possibility is that several older students could be designated to spray sanitizer on the table tents, with teachers also responsible to sanitize.

Multiple sanitizing stations will be around the school, Thomas said, and to ensure extra caution, students will not share any materials. That includes water fountains, leaving students to bring water bottles to school, he said.

Model Two, “Rocket Online Academy,” is online learning, which Thomas stressed is not the same as remote classes.

Students will learn their lessons in live-time using a school-issued Chromebook, Thomas said.

Thomas also said that for parents opting to utilize theremote learning, they commit to the lessons for nine weeks, citing consistency for the students. Parents should let the district know if their child will utilize the online course by Aug. 10, Thomas said, so that teachers can be trained.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases will be quarantined for 14 days, Thomas stressed. If students have virus symptoms, they are encouraged to go to their primary physician.

If a child has a temperature or develops one, there will be a “triage quarantine area” with cots and dividers, located in an old conference area. If a large number of students or staff develop symptoms, there will be a separate area in the small gym that Thomas said can be set up in 15 minutes. That area would have outside access for minimal exposure in the school.

The cafeteria will be used at a 50 percent capacity, Thomas said. Assigned seats in the cafeteria and buses will help with contact tracing, Thomas said.

Younger students might have lunch in classrooms, but that decision will be made based on staffing and how many students choose online learning.