Akron School Board held their monthly meeting Tuesday, October 13 with all members present.
The work session began at 6 p.m. with Architect Dave Wise talking to the board via phone. Wise said he would like to get operations manuals, construction photos, lean waivers and the final inspection completed. TCC, the company that built the addition, has communicated that they are in the process of providing the requested items and completing the final inspection. Wise also said he would like to do a walk through once everything is finished, which should be within a week or two.
Technology Director Greg Clarkson said they are installing intercom wiring in the new addition. NFHS will need to replace the camera they installed at the football field, as it is not functional. The school is now able to stream everything, such as all games, concerts, special programs such as the Veterans’ Day program, science fair and anything else they may want to stream. There are problems with the lights, as some of them, like the parking lot lights, stay on and won’t shut off, as they are wired to do. They are working with the electrician that did the addition and he is hoping they find some solutions. Other than that, Clarkson said it has been relatively quiet.
Athletic Director Tyler Pickens said the school has had to do a lot of work to get ready to hold football games, such as adding four port-a-potties and having two concession stands, but the work has been done and games have finally started. Other sports such as basketball, wrestling, volleyball will start in 2021 and will be going into June of next year. The schedules for all other sports are being finalized.
FBLA Advisor Ali Houston brought some of her FBLA members to talk to the board. Grayson Pachner, Janessa Shook, Kyla Pachner, AnnaLise Glosson and Mariah DeMers spoke to the board about activities they have done and what they will be doing during the rest of the year. They will be having a Christmas party and are going to plan a trip to Denver at the end of the year for the members, because the state and national conferences will be virtual this year.
Houston also presented members of the yearbook staff, including Grayson Pachner, Mariah DeMers, Quincy Basler, Braxton DeMers, Jackson Filla, Landrie Reese, Kendall Velder, David McCaffrey and Kacyn Kessinger. They said the theme this year is “Wait, What?” They have designed the cover, are planning sponsorships and have tried to use bright colors and are using a new program for the material for the yearbook.
Elementary Principal Kendra Anderson said, “I want to say first that I am so proud of our teachers, who are working so hard to keep all the kids involved, including those who are learning virtually. This year the teachers are really involved with reading, writing and math skills. It was found that because of the shut down in March, some of the students are really behind in some of their skills, while some are not as behind. I think it is going to take some students a lot of time to catch up and some may not be caught up for another year or so.”
Title 1 has leveled literacy groups and some special education students are being pushed in and pulled out to get individualized support as needed. A coaching day on traits writing and implementation was held September 23 with Sharon Vorce meeting with teachers and discussing the program. Teachers will also receive training October 23.
For parent-teacher conferences, parents were provided the option to schedule a call, meet on Google or email and all parents received a packet and progress report via email. There was nearly 100 percent contact with parents in 5th grade and under. Parents could also schedule a meeting with the teacher in the school.
They have used the BESS (Behavior and Emotional Screening System) for students in 4th, 6th, 8th, and 9th-12th grade. A social worker has been working with the districts and the screening is showing students who are at low risk, elevated risk and extremely elevated risk. It was found that some students have really been bothered by the virtual learning and all other COVID mandates they have had to live with during the last nine months and which will last much longer.
The District Accountability Committee held a meeting September 9. Anderson also discussed the READ Act requirements. Teachers for K-3rd have to have 45 hours or seven days of training and pass an exam prior to the 2021-22 school year. Northeast BOCES districts are trying to come up with a plan that doesn’t require teachers to take extra days to fulfill this requirement. In Akron, 12 teachers are impacted by this requirement.
At the end of her report, Anderson said, “I want to say thank you to Akron Fire Chief Steve Vasquez and the Department, Undersheriff Robbie Furrow and Deputy Steinke for coming to spend the morning with us on October 9. Students in K-4th were able to meet firefighters, see the trucks, learn street safety and meet our Sheriffs.”
Bill Dorrenbacher then gave the reading and prayer, which was followed by the “Pledge of Allegiance”.
Shawn Randel, 6th-12th Principal, said a lot has been happening. Most of the cameras for virtual learning have been installed and the kids have been able to get on. He complimented the six traits writing program that is being implemented and his junior high and high school English teachers who have jumped on board. They are applying for the RISE grant focused on introducing STEAM curriculum. He thanked Ms. Thompson and Mrs. Houston for their help with the grant writing process. Creative Learning Solutions is helping with the designs and equipment needs to implement the curriculum.
He attended a principal’s meeting in Sterling. At this meeting, he talked with NJC staff to see if he could get local people in the community to teach classes in trades, such as electricity, plumbing, construction, etc., and these classes be eligible for college credits. A Community Pride day was held October 9 and it went very well. Randel mentioned that this is one of his favorite activities they do as a school in serving the community.
Randel also mentioned a mask to mask program, which might be introduced to protect in person learning, but would be voluntary. He has talked to the staff and is going to talk to the students. Following this, a one-hour discussion on several topics, such as face coverings, some persons feeling they were not welcome at the school and other COVID restrictions. Some of the board members also felt parents were not kept as informed as they could be on activities at the school.
A lot of these issues with involvement stem from the restrictions the district has to deal with from the Health Department and the governor to keep the school open. Everyone agreed that the students need to be in school and not be learning through virtual classes. It is better both socially and academically and the students are happy to be going to school. Nothing was decided in the discussion and the school is going to find ways to get parents more involved.
Superintendent Brian Christensen mentioned that he would try to hit the highlights, as he has sent several communications to the board. Christensen said he appreciated being able to attend the CASE Superintendent Conference. It was beneficial to network with other superintendents, hear from a legal panel, receive an update on legislative issues and a presentation on balancing work and life. The school’s S-CAP date has been set for November 12th and parent surveys have been sent through email.
He complimented the work that has been done by Mr. Randel and Mr. Pickens with preparation and logistics for the football games and the time that has been spent working to provide opportunities for our kids with all of the restriction associated with COVID. A definite bright spot is student enrollment, which is up 22 students this year. Messages have been sent to parents informing them of individual quarantines due to positive contacts outside of the school. The school has worked closely with the school nurse and Health Department.
He reported that the school auditor was at the school this week and very complimentary of the job Kelli McCaffrey does as the school business manager. They have had several facility issues recently which has caused some added costs. A waterline had to be fixed by the athletic fields, a mixing valve for the water heaters was replaced, a pipe leak and flush of the glycol line had to be performed, a communication Jace needs replaced, recirculating pumps need replaced, intercom system is being installed and roof work is scheduled to start October 22nd.
“I am grateful for the work being done by our principals and staff during this difficult time,” Christensen added.
The board then went into the regular meeting at 8:31 p.m. The agenda was amended to add the two action items involving facility item replacement. The board approved the consent agenda which included approving the hiring of Devony Bethel as a route bus driver, the resignation of Randy Arnold as a route and substitute bus driver and approving Aimee Zimmerman as a substitute teacher.
Counselor Britney Weers gave a presentation on the school’s new student information system, ALMA which parents can use. When they sign up for their children, they get a password and can go and check the reports for each of their children. It gives a list of the classes and the grade they have in each class. Assignments for each class are listed and when they are due, what days tests will be given, etc. It is easy to access for the parents and report cards are going to be given out on ALMA, although parents can request a hard copy if they wish. Weers said she is still learning the system, but she really likes the program. She also showed the teacher’s side of the program. It allows parents to keep up-to-date on how their students are doing and homework they may have.
Board member Jessica Filla reported on the virtual BOCES board meeting held September 28. It showed a lot of carry over in the budget and most of it was money used for travel expenses, because with schools being shut down, the staff from BOCES didn’t travel. The Gifted and Talented program was also discussed. Filla added, “We are very lucky to be a part of Northeast BOCES.”
Member Nathan Quick said the CASB delegate assembly will be a virtual meeting on October 30 and the annual convention will also be virtual.
The board discussed the board retreat and scheduled it for October 22. The board then approved a Jace replacement and the repair and replacement of two circulating pumps.
The first reading of new policies DAC, DJB, DJB-R, GBI, JLCDB-E and revised policies BCB, BEDF, DJ/DJA, DJE, DKC, EHB, GBEA, GBEB, GCE/GCR-R, GDE/GDF-R, GDE/GDF-Rm IKF, IHF-2, JEB and JLCDB was approved.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. November 10 in the school library.
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October 21, 2020 at 08:18PM
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New system will allow parents instant grade access - Akron News-reporter
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