The Illinois State Board of Education earlier this week released guidelines for in-person instruction to return this fall.

Lisa Taylor, Heyworth Superintendent, says one troubling part of the guidelines is group sizes of 50 students. She says school districts will have to figure out how to conduct lunch, PE, and band classes.

Taylor indicates Heyworth is preparing plans for in-person learning, remote learning, and hybrid classes. They are modeling their hybrid plan after Peoria schools. Taylor says they are working with other county superintendents to maintain consistency throughout the county.

Taylor says another potential problem is funding. Heyworth schools received a grant from the stimulus program which will be put towards technology. She feels the increase in purchasing of cleaning supplies and PPE should not fall on taxpayers.

Temperature checks and how to do is also of great interest. Taylor says they will survey parents on their preferences.

Taylor notes this school year it will be of utmost importance that parents keep students home who are displaying symptoms or are possibly exposed.