Unlike the last couple of weeks, Thursday night was mostly a love fest for the Bainbridge Island School District.

A large majority of the 18 speakers who talked during public comments praised the BISD for opening schools. The previous two weeks those who favored at-home instruction dominated the discussion.

In other news, Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen said the district won’t start up Bainbridge and Eagle Harbor high schools until March 1. The delay is to make sure new buildings on campus are ready for occupancy.

He also said there were two students at Woodward who tested positive for COVID-19, although contact tracing showed transmission didn’t happen at school. Friday, Kitsap Public Health District said one of the students wasn’t a case after all. The Department of Health didn’t ask the school to close, but the district did it anyway voluntarily. There are also four students in quarantine. The school will reopen Feb. 22.

Regarding at-school learning, Hema Magge thanked the district for opening. She said it hasn’t been good for kids to be home so long, and schools don’t spread COVID.

Christina Larson said the opening is “something to applaud.” She asked social media users to quit posting information about what might happen. “The loudest voice is not the majority voice.” Every family has different needs, but “my family is joyous and thriving back in school.”

Stina Pena applauded the district for using “science and fact over hysteria.”

Heather Visser said basically the same thing, adding Thursday for her son was the “best day he’s had in the last year because he got to be line leader.” She said at home they did gardening, baking and games to keep things interesting, but “nothing can take the place of in-person learning. The benefits far outweigh the risks. I’ve heard nothing but good things all around me.”

Kate O’Brien said going to school has been a “bright spot during a very dark time in my kids’ life.”

DD Sumsky said administrators showed “great leadership during this crisis.” Students being out of school for almost a year was “too long. Data is driving the decisions here, and it’s trending down. We’re out here, and we love you.”

Crystal Hill said her part-time nanny told her that her daughter had been having constant tantrums, but now she’s sitting down and reading. Since they’re back in school they’re actually focusing. She said when kids don’t get that contact at school they can lose interest and “go down the wrong path.”

Stephen Dean said the administration set a good example for the community by doing the right thing even though it was unpopular.

Karen Hall said her kids were so happy to return. “It’s been a game-changer.” She knows it has taken a monumental effort. She said the debate has been devastating for the community and recommended an oversight committee or school board liaisons to bring people together.

Emily Hartford said she is in the medical field and knows schools are safe with the mediation being used, but she hopes teachers get vaccinated soon.

Crystal Rich said it was important to open schools for equity for students who “couch surf. They feel like they belong, gives their life meaning.” She said, “Everyone thinks everybody on Bainbridge Island is well off, but they’re not.”

Shannon Dowling was one of only a few who spoke against reopening. She said Woodward teachers feel coerced to report that all safety guidelines are being followed. “People are afraid to say they are out of compliance.” She said the BISD needs to be more transparent and give people the information they need. “Only open the middle and high school when you’re actually ready.”

Brian McCollum was a voice of reason in the middle.

“You should have pride in both in-person and online programs,” he said, adding online has gotten short-shrift, leading to more anxiety and adding to the division. He said he tried to switch his children to online, and the district was not happy about it. He was able to come through for one of his children, while the other is going to school.

As for kids’ mental health, it’s not “one size fits all.” He said many kids need to be in person, but others need to be able to option out. “Given choices, students do better.”

Bang-Knudsen said last week 1,800 students were in school with 92% attendance.

BISD already has come up with a way to keep students safer. Because students change classes in middle and high school, which can crowd hallways, they came up with staging areas for students to wait to keep numbers under control.

Bang-Knudsen said he wants to thank everyone involved with schools.

“There are a lot of emotions here,” he said. “I want to thank staff for increasing your personal exposure. Parents for juggling work and child care and kids’ tantrums. I want to acknowledge the students, and the sacrifice people are making to get kids back in school.”