The Butler Area School Board has approved a school reopening health and safety plan that calls for temperature checks for students and staff, hand washing schedules in elementary schools and social distancing when possible when the 2020-2021 school year begins Sept. 1.

Unanimously approved Monday night, the plan is the product of recommendations from six COVID-19 working groups and discussions the administration had with county commissioners, city emergency management staff, colleges and hospitals aimed at meeting state directives for resuming operations during the green reopening phase of the coronavirus pandemic and providing the 180 days of instruction required during the school year by the Pennsylvania School Code.

“Our goal is to be ready to open for the fall,” Superintendent Brian White said.

The plan could be revised if changes are needed or new directives are handed down from the state, he said.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appeared in Wednesday’s Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article to learn more about the district’s reopening plan.