The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives. We have had to adjust priorities and rethink the way we do things. Although aspects of our lives are slowly returning to normal, there are many unknowns. Those unknowns are impacting everything that require planning, including the Operator School.
To properly prepare for Operator School, locations and instructors need to be available, as do students. In order to start at the beginning of August, as is customary, the Committee would need to have the plan and details ready in time for an early June announcement for registration. These plans include availability of instructors, locations for the classes, and the ability for the students to attend.
The Operator School Committee met on May 15 to discuss the upcoming school. We discussed Indiana’s plans for reopening, as well as the policies our classroom sites and utility employers are enacting. The potential use of social distancing, masks, etc. were reviewed, and we also discussed alternative methods of providing the Operator School training.
After much discussion, to protect the health and safety of our students, instructors and others that may be present at the training sites, the Committee voted to postpone the 2020 Operator School. The Committee will be meeting over the next several months to look at ways that we can provide training, and perhaps, we could have classes in the winter. We will be reviewing the pandemic situation and looking at all of our options.
Please stay safe, and let me know if you have any questions at cjohnsen@mcwaterdept.com .