• We have 120 students grades 1-8 in our face-to-face program along with another 50 kindergarten students, who are split into two 2-week sessions. Class sizes in the face-to-face program are 13 at the maximum.  
• We have 86 students participating in the grade 1-8 online program and another 200 in the high school online program.
• Our high school credit recovery program has 46 participants.
• Our teachers have done an amazing job shifting the focus and/or the platform of summer school this year and should be commended for their efforts.

• The Board asked for clarification on the social distancing. At the elementary level, students will be kept in classroom cohorts as much as possible and not intermingle with other classrooms. At the secondary level, students will be spread out in classrooms as much as possible. In addition, staggered passing periods and uni-directional hallways will be considered.

• The Board inquired about who will be responsible for virtual instruction. If there are small numbers of students in a grade level or course, a stipend would be offered to teachers who would like to facilitate online learning for those students. If there are large numbers, we would most likely hire an online instructor. Expenses such as these are potentially reimbursable via SEMA at up to 75%. In the event that a student is quarantined for a period of time, we would support that student in a similar manner to our current homebound students by providing lessons from the classroom teacher so that the student can transition back to the classroom easily when the quarantine period is lifted.

• Several questions pertained to what would happen if a student or staff member tested positive for COVID. In that event, Dr. Schuetz would contact the Clay County Public Health Center (CCPHC) directly so that they could assess the situation and provide guidance. The district will follow the direction of CCPHC regarding when and with whom to communicate and when it would be appropriate to close a classroom or school.

• The Board expressed concern about having enough substitutes. In the past few years, we have experienced a substitute shortage. One strategy the district is employing is to hire daily substitutes for each building. Those substitutes will report to the same building each day and will be the first assigned in the event of an absence. This will solidify the substitute pool while limiting exposure within the building. 

• When asked how students would be able to move in and out of virtual learning, Dr. Kratofil responded that movement would take place at each semester which would allow an easy transition for both students and teachers.  

• To provide additional layers of protection for staff, principals are evaluating each classroom to determine if additional plexiglass barriers or alternate seating are needed. There are many options for barriers, including clear shower curtains that could be suspended from the ceiling and provided with minimal cost while maximizing protection.

• The Board asked when students would be required to wear masks. Until a vaccine is available or the infection trends in the area subside, masks will be required inside buildings and on buses. When students are outside and can social distance, masks can be removed. During PE, music and phonics instruction masks may also be removed depending on the activity.

• Regarding the use of sick leave for staff that are infected or must quarantine, Dr. Schuetz shared that the Families First Act provides up to 80 hours of leave and the Family Medical Leave Act may be used to protect staff sick leave. The district is also looking into hiring aides to supervise classrooms so that teachers who are quarantined but able to teach may do so without using any type of leave. This is a win-win for students and teachers. Kim Davis, Coordinator of Human Resources Operations is collaborating with legal council and area HR personnel on this and other topics related to staff and re-entry.

• Regarding other details not included in the plan, Dr. Kratofil shared that the plan includes elements that are universally applicable to all buildings. It also provides the framework for each building to develop their own daily procedures. Building principals will work with their leadership teams to develop these procedures and will communicate them with families.

• The Board inquired as to financial assistance for COVID related expenses. All such expenses will be submitted to SEMA at the end of the school year to be reimbursed up to 75%. The maximum amount reimbursed by SEMA is $300,000.

• The Board asked for clarification on requiring a physician's statement in order to return to school in the event a child displays two or more listed symptoms. The district is following the guidance provided by Children’s Mercy Hospital (CMH) on this topic. Currently, the practice recommended by CMH is for anyone with two or more minor symptoms to see a physician who can recommend COVID testing or provide a written statement that COVID testing is not required and the student or staff member can return to school.

• When asked about the plan for when a "small outbreak" does occur, Dr. Schuetz and Dr. Kratofil explained that Clay County Public Health Center would be consulted for guidance. The response could range from quarantining a few individuals to closing schools depending on the severity of the outbreak.

• The Board asked about the process for distributing technology should schools close for an extended period of time. With the COVID funds provided by Clay County, we have been able to purchase devices for each student in grades K-12. These devices will be sent home with students should an extended break occur. Another benefit of having additional devices is that students will not have to share them in the classroom any longer. Each student will be assigned their own device for use all year long.

• When asked about the average day of a 5th grade student, Dr. Kratofil explained that it will be very similar to what a typical day has been in the past. The major exception being that students will not be interacting as much with other classrooms. Students will still have their encore classes and recess. Lunch may be eaten in the classroom at times to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria. Specific details on lunch will be worked out with the OPAA Director, Jasan Kraus. Encore teachers will meet this week to discuss procedures for their classrooms to ensure the curriculum is taught while maintaining the safety of students and staff.

• The Board asked for clarification on capacity limitations. During the regular school day, capacity limitations will not be adhered to in order to have all of our students back to school. The recommendations from the medical community is consistent that when social distancing cannot be done, it is critical to wear a mask. We will spread out as much as possible in the classrooms but we will not be at 50% capacity in most cases. Other events that utilize district spaces will be kept at 50% capacity and masks will be required.

• The Board asked for details regarding virtual learning. Those details will be finalized when we have a better idea of how many students will need it. Options include hiring teachers who facilitate virtual learning only, paying stipends to our staff who volunteer to take on some virtual students, and using partners that we already have relationships with such as Launch through the Springfield School District. Most courses at all grade levels can be taught in the virtual setting.
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