Springfield School District 186 board members said Monday they liked where a set of metrics governing the in-person return of students Jan. 12 is headed, but remained leery about a post-Christmas and New Year's spike. Meanwhile, Superintendent Jennifer Gill will be sending a letter to the 1,300-member Springfield Education Association notifying the union of the district's intent to return to a hybrid model on Jan. 12, a date the board voted on Dec. 7 as a goal of a starting date. The letter is required 10 days in advance of the return of students. The board will have a clearer picture on Jan. 4, its next meeting, about the start date.