The Altoona Area School Board voted Thursday to transition all students to a hybrid model in place of its original plan to begin full, in-person learning.

The plan will take effect Nov. 12 with students in grades K-12 following an “A/B” attendance model: Students are divided into two groups and alternate in-person learning days. The district will continue to offer virtual and cyber options to students. GACTA students will also follow an A/B model.

Assistant Superintendent Brad Hatch presented the plan to the board. He said the administration felt it was responsible to offer this option, considering the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the county and city.

“We feel we need to consider this option at this time for the health, safety and wellness of our students, our staff and the community at large,” he said.

The board’s original plan was to have all students doing full, in-person learning by Nov. 16 — a decision board members made in early October.

During public comment, Kevin Kimball called to support sticking to that original in-person plan.

“Everybody is focused on new (COVID-19) cases,” he said. Kimball said he wanted more emphasis on mortality rates of the virus — particularly in the county — which he said were low.

After public comment, Tim Hileman, fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Altoona, spoke to board members on the impact and transmission of COVID-19 locally.

Hileman disagreed with Kimball, saying the emphasis should be on the impact rising COVID-19 cases will have on resources to treat those with the virus and those with other health conditions.

“If we get enough people in our ICU beds and on ventilators, we have normal procedures the hospital has to do,” he said.