Members of the Norway-Vulcan Schools Board of Education agreed Wednesday to meet weekly over the next month as the district seeks to finalize plans for classes scheduled to begin Aug. 26.

Meeting via Zoom, Board President Cory Heigl said he’d like to see the board “very engaged” with the administration in setting a course, given the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Superintendent Lou Steigerwald, who has met with superintendents of neighboring school districts to draft a reopening strategy, said the Upper Peninsula is in Phase 5 of Michigan’s Safe Start six-phase plan, with Phase 6 considered “post pandemic.”

“None of us will be shocked if we’ll be in Phase 4,” he told the board.

The district is prepared for in-person learning, with some protective equipment on hand and other items on order, including “face shields that teachers can use,” Steigerwald told the board. Masks that are clear would be available for students in younger grades, and masks in general should be abundant, he said.

The option of online learning remains prominent, along with hybrid concepts.

Board member Brady Gustafson said he’s in favor of online instruction, and suggested the community be re-surveyed since infections have been on the rise locally.

“There’s a lot of concerns,” Steigerwald acknowledged.

Board member Jennifer DeDecker said it would be unfortunate to open school in August, only to have a lockout after a positive virus case is reported — maybe within days.

Gustafson suggested representatives from the Iron Mountain and Breitung Township school boards be contacted to meet with a Norway-Vulcan committee.

“The more conversations we have, the easier it will be to reach a consensus,” he said.

The board will next meet for discussion via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. July 29.