The South Whidbey School District has pumped the brakes on its tentative new reopening plan.

South Whidbey Superintendent Jo Moccia made the call Monday not to allow the return of first graders on Feb. 8.

Last week, school board members directed her to make the decision depending on if metrics are being met for the North Region, which Island County is part of. Under the reopening plan, a new grade would return each week.

As of Feb. 1, the region was still in Phase 1 of the governor’s newest reopening plan, meaning the metrics were not met and students will not be returning to in-person classes next week.

The metrics for each region will continue to be updated every Friday, and the superintendent will re-evaluate the decision then.

Students in grades kindergarten through second grade in the Coupeville School District are making a return to some in-person classes this week. The youngest grades will be engaged in a hybrid model, which allows for a mix of in-person and online classes.

Oak Harbor Schools will be making a decision this week about bringing back some of its higher grades next week.