Contingent upon county making red tier on Tuesday

ATASCADERO — On Friday morning, the Atascadero Unified School District announced that they are eyeing a return to in-person education on Mar. 8. The announcement came via email to parents from Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendent Tom Butler.

The email thanked both the Atascadero District Teachers Association and the Atascadero Classified School Employees Association, as well as all the parents in the district, for their combined efforts in bringing students back to class.

The Atascadero School Board of Trustees has already voted to bring in-person education back when allowed by the County Department of Public Health and have had their return to school plan approved on multiple occasions during the pandemic.

In order for San Luis Obispo County to move into the Red Tier on Tuesday, we would need an adjusted case rate per 100,000 between four and seven percent. SLO County currently sits at 9.4 percent per emergencyslo.org but is continuing to trend downwards.

The Superintendent entire email is included below:

“Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thanks for all that you have done to support our students during the first part of the school year. The Board of Education is deeply appreciative of the combined efforts of our parents and staff to provide the very best for our students. I’d also like to thank the Atascadero District Teachers Association and the Atascadero Classified School Employees Association for their ongoing commitment to educating our students in a manner that is safe and healthy for the community.

Earlier today, I notified staff of our anticipated secondary school reopening date of Monday, Mar. 8. This date is dependent upon our county being certified being certified in the Red Tier next week. If we are officially in the Red Tier next Tuesday, you will be notified of our confirmed reopening date for our secondary schools. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely, Tom Butler”