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TOP STORY OF THE DAY Brought to you FREE by WICU: Parents ask Officials questions
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Clay County, Clay Community School Board of Trustees continues to deal with the ramifications of the virus. Families spoke to the school board Thursday night about some concerns raised during the first week of school.
Is the school corporation’s real plan to get to a point where students will go home and return to eLearning instead of in the classroom?
“Our goal is to have the students in the classroom,” said Superintendent Jeff Fritz. “That has been our plan all along. At any time, any moment, I could get a call that says, ‘you’re shutting down,’ then we are shutting down. But I can tell you that eLearning doesn’t take the place of that one-to-one instruction.”
Fritz said the corporation couldn’t promise families that school won’t close due to COVID-19, “It’s out of our control.”
Board President Tom Reberger agrees with Fritz.
“We want students in the schools; however, they feel more comfortable,” said Reberger, who said it was a position all local educators agree with. “As of right now, we have no intention of closing. That might change tonight, tomorrow, or Monday. We’re at the mercy of the health officers. And the health officers don’t want to close us down either.”
If eLearning has to be implemented due to COVID-19, will sports available for students to participate in?
Fritz explained plans regarding sports and other events that have been prepared by North Clay Middle School, Clay City Jr/Sr High School, and Northview and presented to the Clay County Health Department for their approval.
“With everything that we do concerning school closures, and delays that are health department driven, we will certainly have to look at that,” he said, citing the crowd cap at 250 people by the health department for upcoming football games. “So, if we close the schools, I am sure they will give us directives on that as well.”
Are the COVID-19 protocols regarding face masks and social distancing being implemented the same way at all the schools?
Fritz said yes, that staff members at all schools are aware of the protocols in CCS 2020-21 School Year Roadmap, including social distancing and face coverings for children aged eight and younger.
“Our health department is very conservative. They err on the side of safety,” said Fritz, who agrees. “Even though other school corporations are more relaxed on that, we abide by what (the CCHD) said. Everyone is going to wear a face mask, and 6-foot is the limit.”
Some situations allow for students to remove their masks, such as when outside for recess, when students can use social distance properly and in smaller classroom settings that allow it.
The strict policy regarding face masks is not allowing many students opportunities to take a breath of fresh air.
The health department has approved that all students from pre-K to seniors are required to wear masks at this time, and use the 6-foot social distancing mandate. Students are allowed to take off their masks during recess and at other times when supervised by staff members.
Remarking about the remarkable ability for children’s resilience to hardship, Fritz said many students are using the “zombie arms” method for social distancing while getting on and off the school bus.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Fritz admitted he didn’t know who served on the health department board, who the health nurse was, or if there was a health administrator.
“But I know them all right now,” he said. “We work very closely together each day.”
“Our number one priority, before education right now, is our children and staff members’ safety,” said board member Amy Burke Adams.
In other business:
Director of Business Affairs Mark Shayotovich requested permission to advertise the upcoming 2021 School Budget and Capital Projects and Director of Extended Services Jesse Trunnell’s School Bus Replacement plans. Trunnell confirmed they would be advertising for seven to 10 buses
The information for all three plans will appear as legal advertisements in local newspapers and on the corporation’s website. The first special budget hearing will take place at the Central Administrative Office, on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
A waiver agreement developed by Attorney Michelle Cooper to provide alternative Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) transportation options for students during the COVID-19 pandemic was approved.
The new waiver will allow families the flexibility to arrange travel plans for their students during COVID-19.
The board approved a revised 2020-21 School Calendar due to COVID-19, and the revisions are highlighted on the calendar. The calendar is available on the corporation’s website and www.thebraziltimes.com. The last tentatively scheduled day of classes will be May 24, 2021.