WUHSD district preparing for reopening

Special education, English learners, homeless and at-risk students could return to in-person instruction as soon as Oct. 27, reported Assistant Superintendent Rob Cobb at the Oct. 8 board meeting.

Cobb said since the county moved into the red tier on Tuesday, schools must wait an additional 14 days prior to reopening for in-person instruction.

"At the present time, Wasco Independent High School, Special Education, English Language, homeless and at-risk students could start school Tuesday, Oct. 27," Cobb said. "However, Wasco High School students will not start until after Martin Luther King's birthday, Jan. 19. We are taking great care to protect the safety of our students and staff."

The district sent out parent surveys to determine how many students will return for in-person school. In addition, the district will send out staff surveys to determine the climate, support and potential need for staff.

Students at Wasco High School are not scheduled to return until after Jan. 19, if the county is in the red tier or better.

"We will follow the Kern County Health Department's recommendations as always," Cobb confirmed.

Anticipation for the return to class is high on everyone's list for a brighter outlook on the new year.

In other business, the board named Cobb as superintendent beginning Jan. 1, at $150,000 a year plus benefits for a one-year contract.

Cobb also spoke during the meeting on Career Training Education, which replaced North Kern Vocational Training Center after North Kern closed its doors in 2019.

"All students need minimum academic skills," Cobb said. "All students should have opportunities for further education."

He stressed that schools cannot offer everything because they have limited resources.

The three areas of education in high school are Vocational Education, Career Training Education and Early College.

Career Training Education involves a multiyear sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.

The Early College Pathway allows high school students to begin college course work using dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment and connected credit to begin a certificate or degree.

Some of the pathways offered at the school include plant/soil science, ag mechanic, animal science, wonderful ag prep, wonderful ag prep – ag mechanics, wonderful ag prep – ag business, multimedia, culinary arts, allied health, public safety and industrial automation.