The South Whidbey School District is taking a cautious approach to reopening, spurring criticism from some parents but support from others involved in the school district.

Currently, kindergartners, special needs students and those who struggled with online learning are the only ones who are on school campuses.

Superintendent Jo Moccia will be making a decision this Monday, however, about whether to return first graders to classrooms on Feb. 8. That decision will depend on if the metrics are being met for the north region Island County is part of.

At a school board meeting Wednesday night, concerns about the students’ social and emotional well being were weighed with potential safety risks posed to staff members.

Moccia made the recommendation to the board that the district hold off on reopening schools fully. She cited concerns from teachers who are not yet vaccinated and who said they would take a leave of absence rather than teach in-person classes.

“I will respect whatever the board determines,” Moccia said. “There is no right answer.”

“I believe with my heart it is the right recommendation,” she added.

Moccia and school board members fielded questions and comments from the public on the subject of reopening for nearly two hours. Some parents repeatedly called for a return of students to in-person learning.

Parent Gwendy Hastings called for temporary replacements for staff not wanting to come back to teach in-person.

Moccia said in a recent survey, 70 percent of staff said they don’t want to return to classrooms unless they have been vaccinated.

“I feel like I am dodging a bullet everyday that I am not vaccinated, despite our very safe protocols,” said Kristin Codda, an elementary school teacher who commented during the meeting. “I was caught off guard by the new vaccine schedule, and with metrics as they are now, I am increasingly nervous. I want to be vaccinated and appreciate any support the district can give to make this possible.”

Board Member Marnie Jackson suggested social and emotional health of students could be mitigated in other ways besides meeting in classrooms.

She also advocated for the teachers’ choice in returning to classrooms.

The other board members agreed it was a difficult decision to make, especially when taking mental health into consideration. Ultimately, they unanimously agreed that Moccia could evaluate if the region’s metrics are being met and make a decision Feb. 1 about whether to bring back first graders the following week.

If the metrics are continuing to be met, grades will be brought back one by one each week. Second grade would return Feb. 15, for example.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10.