Lemon Grove board approves return to hybrid learning and will offer testing for returning cohorts

The Lemon Grove School District Governing Board voted unanimously on March 9 to return students to hybrid in-person instruction and directed the district to offer testing to student cohorts prior to their return.

Superintendent Erica Balakian and Marianna Vinson presented data and parent survey results on the proposed phased return. Trustee Greg Shibley initially moved to return to in-person learning as presented but the motion received no second. Trustee Cheryl Robertson then moved to return to in-person learning with a testing requirement; after discussion she revised the motion to specify that the district would offer testing prior to the start of school for each cohort as they return. Trustee Shibley seconded the revised motion and it carried 5–0.

The decision followed a period of public comment in which Michelle Krug urged delaying reopening by two weeks after spring break or administering rapid tests; Meg Travis, a grandparent, urged the district to advance in-person learning; and parent Jennifer Kraber expressed support for returning to campus. Superintendent Balakian expressed appreciation for the Board’s approval and the district will now move forward with implementation planning.

The Board’s action changes the item from discussion to a formal direction: the district will offer testing to cohorts before they return but the final operational details (testing cadence, provider, opt-in/opt-out procedures and notification plans) were not specified in the meeting record and will be set by district staff.