ELDRED — The Otto-Eldred School Board met Tuesday evening for a regular scheduled board meeting.
The board started out their evening with reorganization of the school board directors. Jeannine Gray was appointed as a temporary chairperson for the purpose of electing a board president. At that point, Cynthia Murphy was re-elected as president of the school board. Gray was then placed as the vice-president. Murphy was approved to also serve as the legislative chairperson and PSBA representative. Suzanne Strait, confidential superintendent secretary, was approved to be the PSBA Employee Relations contact. Board meetings will continue to be held on the second Tuesday of every month with the exception of holiday or school break conflictions. Traditionally, there will be no meeting held in July.
During administrative reporting, high school principal Kaci Daniels reported that currently 65 high school students are being housed for remote learning (which currently is being held till Dec. 4th). The majority of these students receive special services that cannot be replicated outside the building. In additional too, families with poor internet or families with three or more children are also attending for a stable internet connection. Additionally, teachers requested approximately 20 high-risk students to attend in-person.
Keystone testing may now be given in a larger time frame if needed. Currently testing dates are set for Dec. 8th, 10th, and Jan. 12th. Students scheduled to take Keystones will need to report to school on the day of their exam date.
At the elementary school, all students are currently still reporting daily for classes. Elementary and Special Education principal Lindsay Burns reported that the 21st Century Program is back at the elementary school. They are maintaining small groupings, distancing, masking, and disinfecting policies and procedures. Gifted Consortia continues to meet virtually. Gifted students are still participating in some “field trips” virtually. The first virtual Quiz Bowl was a success. A virtual geography fair is upcoming.
Superintendent, Matthew Splain updated the board on health and safely plans. An attestation agreement was signed. This form is the district’s agreement to adhere to the updated masking order and also to adhere to the recommended closing guidelines for both buildings. Closing would take effect if the district experiences two or more positive COVID cases within either building over a 14-day cycle. By agreeing to option 1, the district can maintain in-person instruction, but must be prepared to close for necessary time periods to ensure buildings are sanitized and that contact tracing is performed. This also allows for continuation of sports.
In staffing and personnel, Nicole Garthwaite was placed as the interim curriculum and instruction position. This move will create a vacancy and need for a long-term substitute teaching position at the elementary which will be filled by Mid-December. High school principal secretary Melissa Veilleux has submitted her letter of resignation to take a new position. Amber Sudbrook was approved to fill this position. Lori Edgar, Mychaela Jones, Bethany Fratercangelo, and Kylie Stuck were approved as substitute teachers. Michelle Mahaney was approved as a paraprofessional aide for second grade.
The board also approved an Act 1 resolution. The board approved not to raise taxes above the index for the 2020-2021 budget year.
