Worth School District 127 Board of Education met July 29.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. MEETING OPENING
A. CALL TO ORDER
President Drew Sernus called the Zoom meeting to order at 5:35pm
B. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Drew Sernus, Michelle Egan, Danette Keeler, Stephanie Peltzer Members Present on Zoom: David Blanks, Meghan Sisk, Vince Flores
Administrators:
Dr. Mark Fleming, Superintendent
Cindy Dykas, Business Manager/CSBO
Linda Esposito, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Sinead Chambers,
Tim Hathhorn, Worthwoods Principal
Ashley Toms, Assistant Principal, Worth Elementary/Worthwoods
Dr. Joseph Zampillo, Worth Junior High Principal
Jason Tooth, Assistant Principal, Worth Junior High
Maureen Eichstaedt, Worth Elementary Principal
Others Present:
Robert Jeffers, Director of Technology
Mary Zirngibl, Early Childhood
Andrea Brejcha, Parent
Jolauta Ziebe, Parent
Jill Moore, Board Recording Secretary
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Drew Sernus led the pledge of Allegiance,
2. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
A. TENTATIVE RETURN TO LEARN PLAN
Dr. Fleming introduced Ms. Linda Esposito to give a detailed presentation regarding the Fall Reopening Plan. Ms. Esposito discussed and answered questions regarding the following topics:
• Proposed Amendment to the 2020-2021 School Calendar.
• Student fall return options that consist of Remote Learning and Blended Learning
• School Hours
• Attendance Schedule which included a sample schedule
• Changing Learning Options - Blended Learning to Remote Learning/Remote Learning to Blended Learning
• Expectations for Remote Learning and Blended Learning Options
• Remote Learning Option Guidance
o Special Education
o Attendance
o Instruction
o Grading
o Technology o School Meals
o Communication
o Learning Platforms
• Blended Learning Option Guidance
o Face Masks
o Arrival and Dismissal
o Health Self-Certification
o Attendance
o Classroom/Learning Spaces o Hallways
o School Meals
o Sports, Activities, and Events
• Other School Protocol
o Calling in Absence
o Visitors
o Open House
o Cleaning
o Other Safety Measures and Precautions
o When Someone has Symptoms
o Positive COVID-19 Case
o Quarantine
3. CITIZENS' REMARKS - AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mary Zirngibl commented that she greatly appreciates the communication, collaboration and partnerships amongst the administration, her colleagues and the community.
Andrea Brejcha sent an e-mail to the Board and was in attendance to discuss in person the following items:
1) Temperature checks - It's honestly unrealistic for kids to self certify on the days they are in school. Do you have any idea the percentage of parents who send their kids to school sick (fever, diarrhea, vomiting etc) and also with head lice? Who's to say a parent won't write a random number down just so they don't miss work?
2) Residency - When are we able to show proof of residency? Is it being waived this year?
3) School supply list - Is EXTREMELY outdated. 1st grade students are supposed to supply 4 BOXES of crayons PER child. Then it's multiple glue sticks, dry erase markers, pens, pencils etc. It doesn't take a scientist to see that some school supplies are put into a "community pile" or perhaps given to a student(s) who doesn't bring what is required.
4) Will band and choir happen this year?
5) 5th grade bridging ceremony - What happened with this? I'm sure it would've been possible to piece something together for incoming WJH students.
Thank you for your time,
Andrea Brejcha
Parent of a WE 5th grader
Jill Moore read the following letters to the Board of Education during the Citizens' Remarks,
Just wanted to say thank you for keeping us updated with all changes going around this school year. Below are some questions that I collected from parents I was talking to regarding school opening/ e-learning:
1. we all move to remote learning how school district will ensure of equal access to Internet and school materials for all students? We all know that previous year proved that not all students were logging in every day.
2. Is there any plan to focus on emotional well-being of students? How special education students will receive full amount of their therapies?
3.How will bi-lingual students receive their fair amount of education if parents/caregivers don't understand English fully?
4.Why is live streaming not available if it is proven to be the best tool for teaching especially for larger groups of students?
5. If using hybrid model how teachers will be preparing for e-learning and in person learning at the same time?
6. According to survey 47.4 % of parents are willing to send their kids to school for in person learning. Why we are not getting that option?
7. There is almost 1200 students in our district. Thinking rationally 2 kids per household there should be around 600 responses to the survey. There was only 390. If we have families not filling out few minute survey, how can we assure their kids will receive proper education at home?? Isn't it concerning there might be child abuse or neglect in family? How is that being controlled if a lot of times it was teachers that saw first signs of abuse at school? Can teachers see it through Zoom or Google?
Thank you very much for everyone's attention. I hope we can get some answers because everyone is concerned either by going back to school or E-learning. I also would like to add some words from myself to all teachers and board of education.
I am hearing from teachers that "School is not a babysitter".
I am a stay at home mom and I don't need childcare. I need EDUCATORS for my kids. Even trying my best to provide my kids with educational Internet sites, books and teacher instructions I still can not manage to provide them knowledge like teachers can do with in person learning. You can not teach your child to be respectful to teachers if they don't have one.
You can not teach interaction with peers if they don't have one.
You can not give them a memory of graduation if they don't have one.
Some of you will say "Oh they are young, they will forget".
Of course they will forget a lot of things, as we all do. But for the next few years they will remember for sure that no one was afraid but teachers. Nurse, doctor, policemen, firefighter, store clerk, cleaning personnel, truck driver, warehouse worker was not afraid but their teacher was. You will not be heroes to those kids anymore. They will remember that every one around at least tried but teachers didn't. They will remember that teachers were afraid to teach but at the same time they were ok with going shopping, enjoying vacations and visiting friends and family. Really good life lesson and perfect memory.
Thank you,
Jolanta Sikora
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I received a notice that Shepard High School will be postponing their in person classes for the first three weeks of school. will district 127 follow suite?
If not, will the district be installing plexi-room dividers or installing any additional PPE measures for students and staff?
Can you please address the grading system this year? Will it resume to what it was for 2018-19 or will it stay the current course?
Thank you,
Colleen Blackburn
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Action (Consent): A. BOARD BILLS PAYABLE - JUNE 30, 2020
Resolution: Recommended Motion (roll call): "that the Board of Education approve the Accounts Payable for June 30, 2020 in the amount of $33,709.47 (EDUCATIONAL), $907,918.37 (OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE); $19,427.82 (TRANSPORTATION); $25.50 (TORT IMMUNITY) for a total of $961,081.16."
Motion by Michelle Egan, second by Danette Keeler.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes; Drew Sernus, David Blanks, Meghan Sisk, Danette Keeler, Michelle Egan, Vince Flores, Stephanie Peltzer
Action (Consent): B, BOARD BILLS PAYABLE – JULY 29, 2020
Resolution: Recommended Motion (roll call): "that the Board of Education approve the Accounts Payable for July 29, 2020 in the amount of $89,791.81 (EDUCATIONAL), $90,026.78 (OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE); $1,826.43 (TRANSPORTATION); $51,549.00 (TORT IMMUNITY) for a total of $233,194.02."
Motion by Michelle Egan, second by Danette Keeler.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Drew Sernus, David Blanks, Meghan Sisk, Danette Keeler, Michelle Egan, Vince Flores, Stephanie Peltzer
5. CLOSED SESSION
A. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Recommended Motion (roll call): "that the Board of Education adjourn to closed session at 7:35p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property."
Motion by Michelle Egan, second by Stephanie Peltzer. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Drew Sernus, David Blanks, Meghan Sisk, Danette Keeler, Michelle Egan, Vince Flores, Stephanie Peltzer
B. RECONVENE IN PUBLIC SESSION
Recommended Motion (roll call); "that the Board of Education upon completion of it's discussions in closed session reconvene in public session at 10:01 p.m."
Motion by Drew Sernus, second by David Blanks.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Drew Sernus, David Blanks, Meghan Sisk, Danette Keeler, Michelle Egan, Vince Flores, Stephanie Peltzer
6. ADJOURNMENT
Recommended Motion (voice vote): "that the Board of Education motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:04 p.m."
Voice Vote: All Yes
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
https://worthschools.org/wp-content/uploads/board/minutes/2019-20/7.29.20spmin.pdf
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