RSU #20
Learning Continuity Plan
Summary
www.rsu20.org postings for the Learning Continuity Plan
This Plan is being regularly reviewed and updated. Please check for updates.
**Note:
Special Board meetings
- 20 August 2020 - Consideration to approve the RSU 20 Steering Committee’s 3 Phases of the Learning Continuity Plan
- 22 September 2020 - Consideration of the Maine Principals Association Fall Sports Guidelines for Fall Sports Participation
- 26 October 2020 - Consideration of the approval of the 2nd Quarter Continued Learning Plan
- 6 July 2020, 0827 - Notice that RSU #20 has formed a Steering Committee for School Year 2020-21
- 8 July 2020, 0951 - Family Needs Survey posted
- 5 August 2020, 1007 - Message from Mr. Downing posted.
- Included 11 August Board meeting notice
- Included 4 attachments
- 6 Requirements for Safely Opening Schools in the Fall from the MDOE
- The Draft RSU #20 Learning Continuity Plan
- MDOE Pre-Screening Tool
- 5 August 2020 letter from Mr. Downing
- 10 August 2020, 1604 - Notice of a change to the 11 August 2020 regular Board meeting location
- Included a YouTube live stream link
- Include a link to ask the Board a question
- Agenda posted on www.rsu20.org
- Draft of Steering Committee’s 3 Phases of the Learning Continuity Plan
- MPA Guidelines
- Draft of Steering Committee’s 3 Phases of the Learning Continuity Plan
- 2020-2021 MPA Guidelines
- Report from the Superintendent
- On Monday and Tuesday, 8/17 and 8/18; public forums will be held at the Searsport District Middle/High School Cafetorium to discuss the Continued Learning Plans; invitations will go to RSU 20 families with a RSVP and attendance per Governor’s Declaration of 50 maximum-session will be at 6:00 PM -7:00 PM and 7:30 PM-8:30 PM; remote instruction.
- Special Board Meeting will be Thursday, August 20 at 6:30 PM at the Searsport District Middle/High School Cafetorium for consideration of the 2020-2021 Continued Learning Plans.
- Link to the Google online survey
- 14 August 2020 1317 - Learning Continuity Plan presentation from the 11 August 2020 regular Board meeting
- 14 August 2020, 1533 - Public forum notices for 17, 18 August 2020 to comment on the Learning Continuity Plan
- 17 August 2020, 0829 - YouTube live stream links for the public forums on 17, 18 August and YouTube live stream link for special Board meeting on 20 August 2020
- 18 August 2020, 1142 - YouTube link for previous evening’s Public Forum session
- 24 August 2020, 1450 - Learning Continuity Plan information began to be posted under Updates on 20/21 schedules and the Learning Continuity Plan
- 8 September 2020, 1049 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 8 September 2020
- Administrators and Directors – Opening of 2020-2021 School Year
- Old business: MPA Sports Season Update
- Administrators and Directors – Opening of 2020-2021 School Year
- Larry Clement and Dan Ormsby for SES:
- Great to get back to school with students and staff in-person
- Reviewing-Specials schedule, arrivals and dismissal procedures
- Carpooling with signs for 3 to 4
- Preparing for September 21 – Four days with combined groups
- More registered/ currently have 135 in-person
- Sarah Koebel/Jess Ormsby – coordinating the K-5 Remote
- Quotation from Denise Dakin: “What are we doing for Remote-parents disappointed-expecting more for remote program”
- Larry Clement-preparation as well as social-emotional aspect
- Josh McFarlin-amount of work going home-expectations
- Tony Bagley-skills for students; remote & in-person
- Kris Braga-need to prepare/new procedures
- Larry Clement-transition phase; work will be going home
- Joshua Toothaker for SDMS & SDHS
- 52/HS & 40/MS for first day
- started with Advisory, more time for 6th and 9th
- followed regular schedule and included WCTC
- remotely: paperwork per department
- service 4 lunches
- WCTC will be attending all five days
- Russ Flagg for Transportation and Facilities
- nothing out of the ordinary, approximately as expected
- students numbers:
- 25 SES AM 34 SES PM
- 22 MS/HS AM 25 MS/HS PM
- 6 WCTC AM 7 WCTC PM
- Amanda Little for Special Education
- procedures being followed
- we were ready for students per IEP in-person and remote
- No work coming home on Wed-Thurs-Fri-disheartening
- More would have been present-looking at homeschooling
- Need materials to come home, no new skills
- Communication-letters are not getting home
- Concern with students regressing farther
- Parents are willing to assist; work together
- Computer insurance concerns
- Sports specific has been moved to September 14
- Currently under review by Sports Committees
- Department of Health=Human Services and Governor’s Office along with the DOE have requested MPA to revise and align with in-school requirements
- Waiting for decision by MPA-expected Wednesday or Thursday
- 18 September 2020, 1629 - Reminder that 21 September 2020 begins 4 day in-person student schedule.
- 2 October 2020, 1501 - Reminder that 5 October 2020 begins 4 day in-person for SDHS/MS students and 5 day in-person for SES students
- 13 October 2020, 1024 - Updated COVID-19 Pre-Screening Tool
- 13 October 2020 - Regular Board meeting
- Report from the Superintendent
- Special Board Meeting on Monday 10/26/20 at 6:30 PM at Searsport District Middle/High School Cafetorium; agenda items:
- Consideration of the RSU 20 Continued Learning Plan for the Second Quarter
- Continue to thank the students, staff, community and school board for the hard work and dedication to continuing the educational paths for our students.
- 22 October 2020, 0816 - End of Quarter 1 Survey link to gather information from parents and guardians
- 23 October 2020, 1431 - Waldo County “Yellow Status” posting
- Included message from Mr. Dowing
- Include student schedules
- Included link to Governor’s Health Advisory System
- Included message from Mr. Dowing
- Include student schedules
- Included link to Governor’s Health Advisory System
- 10 November 2020, 1837 YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 10 November 2020.
- Report from the Superintendent
- Maine Principals Association in conjunction with DOE, CDC, DHHS have established guidelines and dates for winter sports:
- 12/07 - Level 1 - skills, drills at home alone/household members
- 12/14 - Levels 2 & 3 - practices and intra-squad scrimmages
- 01/11 - Level 4 - competition among teams from same geographic area
- TBD - Level 5 & 6 - will be as directed in January, masks to be worn at practices/games, no fans
- Maine’s CDC, DOE and Governor’s Office will continue to review Covid-19 metrics on a weekly basis. RSU 20 will evaluate based upon the color code and local conditions. Information is shared with the superintendents approximately 30 minutes before the public announcement - decisions are arrived at based upon color code recommendations.
- 12 January 2021, 1112 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 12 January 2021.
- Presentations: Covid-19 Testing at School-Presented by Monica Furrow, BSN, RN (RSU 20 School Nurse)
- New business: Consideration of approval-Quarter Three RSU 20 Schedule
- RSU 20 School Nurse Monica Furrow - The recommended procedure for the Abbott Binax Antigen Covid-19 testing
- Superintendent directed to contact legal advice Drummond Woodsum for liability concerns and review forms for disclaimer.
- Information and any revisions to be brought to the Policy Committee on January 25, 2021 for further review and recommendation
- Testing will not be administered until board action
- Report from the Superintendent
- Vaccinations of school personnel will start with school nurses, health aides, and those providing health care in the absence of school nurse. DOE is working with officials on a timeline for school personnel - “we do not know when school staff will be eligible” - guidelines and distribution will be provided to districts as soon as possible
- County designation are scheduled to continue every 2 weeks. The next is Friday, January 15, 2021; same process of calculations.
- Consideration of approval-Quarter Three RSU 20 Schedule - A motion was made by Kris Brage and seconded by Joshua McFarlin to approve the Third Quarter Schedule at MS/HS (4/5) and SES (5/5). Vote 5-0-0
- Discussion - Superintendent recommended that the Middle School and High School remain In-Person Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday with remote on Wednesday (4/5), and SES attend five days In-Person with the continuation of the SES Remote Teaching Team (5/5).
- 5 February 2021, 1424, YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 9 February 2021.
- First Reading of the Proposed 2021-2022 School Calendar
- Report from the Superintendent
- MPA has decided at allow local districts the final discussion on participating in activities beyond the local practices and intra-squad activities. *NFHS activities will no longer utilize color for low-moderate-high risk categories.
- Questions on Volunteers: concern on number of volunteers for baseball with Covid restrictions per MPA bulletins which have not been released for Spring Sports, would prefer to bring to March Board Meeting.
- 8 March 2021, 0813 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 9 March 2021.
- 4TH Quarter Discussion
- Second Reading of the Proposed 2020-2021 School Calendar
- Report from the Superintendent
- Update on the vaccination protocol from DOE and local health centers; 60+ years old staff registrations are provided to DOE, other staff may contact Walgreens, WalMart and Hannafords. Individuals need to register for appointment.
- Superintendent announced that a “Return 21 Committee” will be developed to address returning to school year 2021-2022; representatives from staff, board, administration, and parent/community will be involved. More information will be forthcoming.
- Superintendent recommended RSU 20 continue the current educational plan for MS/HS at 4 days in-person with Wednesday being remote, SES at 5 days in-person with remote team. Currently remote numbers are
- SES = 35 (18%)
- SDMS at 11 (12%)
- SDHS at 32 (25%)
- Discussion: Tony Bagley would like to see 5 days but understands the rationale; looking for 5 day for 2021-2022.
- VOTE: 4-0-1 (Dakin-Abstained)
- 9 April 2021, 1839 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 13 April 2021.
- Report from the Superintendent
- The Return 21 Committee has met twice to develop a plan for our students and staff to return for the 21-22 School year at five days in-person. The plans will be presented at a public forum towards the end of May or beginning of June. The Return 21 committee will be meeting again on Tuesday, april 27. In conjunction with RSU #20 Return 21 Committee, the Maine DOE will be releasing a framework with requirements - Roadmap to Recovery - are still being discussed among CDC, DHHS, MSMS, MSSA, and MPA.
- Recelty, updates on graduation guidance and the Standard operating procedures for close contacts have come forward from CD and DOE, as weill travel updates; still ever-changing
- 7 May 2021, 0901 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 11 May 2021.
- 9 June 2021, 0822 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 9 June 2021.
- 08 July 2021, 1130 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 13 July 2021.
- Report from Superintendent
- Update from DOE on Framework for 2021-2022 School Year, still waiting, RSU #20 will be discussed under New Business
- Update on the DOE and CDC Covid-19 Guidelines for 2021-2022
- Superintendent provided updates on plans for 2021-2022 school year; plans are recommendations at this point as we are still awaiting guidelines and Framework from Maine DOE and Maine CDC, the Return 21 Committee is recommending the following:
- 5 days in person
- Same time schedule for SES, MS, and HS therefore a single bus run
- *Questions on Remote Learning:
- Based upon medically diagnosed condition plans will be developed; no general remote.
- RSU #20 will hold a public forum on August 5th for questions and public input.
- 05 August 2021, 1506 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 10 August 2021.
- 18 August 2021 - New Maine Department of Education Pre-Screening Tool for School Attendance posted
New Pre-Screening Tool for School Attendance
- The Maine Department of Education has released a new Pre-Screening Tool for School Attendance dated August 16, 2021.
- If a close contact is determined at school, families will automatically be put in the Sara Alert system through the CDC. Once you receive your first text message, you may then opt out.
- This is a change from last year when you could opt out prior to being put in the system.
- For more information:
- 20 August 2021, 1449 - YouTube link and link to submit a question to the Board for the regular Board meeting on 24 August 2021.
- 20 August 2021 - Welcome Back: Letter to students, parents, and caregivers posted on the RSU #20 website
- Consideration of 2021/2022 Federal CDC, Maine CDC, and Maine DOE Guidelines
- Tony Bagley introduced - Consideration of CDC Guidelines on masks for the 2021-2022 School Year. Tony Bagley asked and reviewed the email from Superintendent, results were:
- Families: 150 returned - later noted that the total number sent per Infinite Campus emails was 315.
- Question #1 - Should RSU #20 REQUIRE masks for all students, staff and visitors Pre-K through 12, regardless of vaccination status.
- 33 YES (35.3%) 97 NO (64.7%)
- Question #2 - Should RSU #20 RECOMMEND masks for all students, staff and visitors Pre-K through 12, regardless of vaccination status.
- 67 YES (45.7%) 83 NO (55.3%)
- Staff: 70 returned
- Question #1 - Should RSU #20 REQUIRE masks for all students, staff and visitors Pre-K through 12, regardless of vaccination status.
- 39 YES (55.7%) 31 NO (44.3%)
- Question #2 - Should RSU #20 RECOMMEND masks for all students, staff and visitors Pre-K through 12, regardless of vaccination status.
- 43 YES (61.4%) 27 NO (38.6%)
- Numbers were clarified per discussion, board members were asked for a motion. Kris Braga has an issue with the survey and design - respondents either required or recommended, does not feel survey results were valid. Results were not either/or but larger % of parents-NOT required and NOT recommended, staff-larger % required but recommended as well, the survey results were - yes-yes; no-no; yes-no; no-yes; survey should be designed either required or recommended. A motion was made by Dave Walsh and seconded by Denise Dakin that masks are not mandatory and make optional for students and staff.
- Discussion:
- Max Provencher - from a student's perspective - a good solution
- Tony Bagley - personal choice
- •Kris Braga - more accurate survey data, not enough survey data to make an accurate decision
- Dave Walsh - regardless of the survey, allowing people to make a choice, another survey will probably not change results
- Superintendent Downing - in regards to the survey - as quickly as possible in order to acquire what was going to happen - our goals #1) feeling of being required, #2) parents to have an option and #3) transportation is required per US CDC - masks must be worn on all public and private transportation including schools. Board of Directors Minutes August 10, 2021
- Administrative recommendation - provide the parents with the option and one last statement- if numbers continue to go up - parents will make the right decision. Public Questions: how many total surveys were sent out (answer was provided after the research 315). Surveys to emails from Infinite Campus based upon 2020-2021 School Year; some families did not receive consistency on staff reaction to students' mask wearing, recommendations now to be made to keep students and staff safe.
- Superintendent Downing - Governor would need to provide a civil emergency to be mandatory or the Superintendent may make a decision based upon a public health concern per statutes. Kris Braga - need consistency throughout the buildings Superintendent Downing - masking, vaccination, social distancing with CDC recommendation at 3 feet including cafeteria Tony Bagley - send home information - form - will student be wearing a mask; parent option Dawn Staples-Knox - If there is an outbreak, will the board change their recommendation? Tony Bagley - Board will have an emergency board meeting to change the rules Kris Braga - unvaccinated concern at elementary level, most students are not vaccinated Superintendent Downing - US CDC - universal masking is a recommendation not required for all schools, students and staff vaccinated or unvaccinated.
- Motion brought back for action:
- - Not mandatory; optional per CDC Guidelines -
- VOTE: 5-0-0 (Student Rep Max Provencher – yea)
- A. Regular Board Meeting of August 10, 2021
- Tony Bagley asked if there were any corrections or omissions ?
- Kris Braga - stated under G discussion - Kristina Braga not concern about “unvaccinated concern at elementary level, most students are not vaccinated” but about universal masking, change to “ concern that the recommendation would be universal masking regardless of vaccination status” and that vaccinated and unvaccinated students would be treated the same - wanted to be sure Board of
- A motion was made by Denise Dakin and seconded by Joshua McFarlin to approve the revised minutes of the August 10, 2021 Board Meeting.
- VOTE: 4-0-0 (Student Rep Max Provencher - yea) Dave Walsh-Absent
- 8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -
- Chairman Tony Bagley - a few people will be speaking tonight; left the Policy BEDH on the desk, per Policy there will be no dialogue between the board and the people speaking, encourage people to be civil, not trying to talk over somebody, we do have a time limit but not one to stick to time limits if you have something to say, I will listen,
- 1. The first to talk is the PBEA (Penobscot Bay Education Association) President Dawn Staples-Knox and Vice President Amy Hafford presented a statement from the PBEA Executive Board. (attached)
- 2. Phil Kratzman, RSU #20 Teacher- Middle School
- at this time-all should be wearing masks irregardless of vaccination status
- referenced American Academy of Pediatrics Association
- referenced CDC and Director Shah statement
- universal masking due to the Delta variant
- scientific data supports universal masking
- 3. Trevor Hamel - Father - provided information:
- referred to CDC Website, presented information
- references to facts on CDC requiring masks is a form of child abuse social and emotional effects on students physical effects on students questions on media reports
- mask wearing should be options to feel safe
- parents' decision
- similar to previous speaker
- appreciate what teachers do
- mask wearing has effects on students
- prefer to see smiles on faces
- 5. Danielle Hachey - Mother
- agree with two previous speakers
- decision of individual
- education of our children is more important than mandating
- 6. Melissa Hebert - teacher in RSU #20/parent
- who determines what is best for student - parent choice
- teacher has the right to decide for themselves
- do not want to debate science
- vaccines work, are reducing cases-reducing hospitalizations
- children can not be vaccinated, no proven facts on transmission
- concern with social-emotional due to masking
- do not support limited masking
- 8. Melissa Jebert - mother
- did not send student in 2021-2022 concern with mental health issues
- remote learning versus marsk mandates
- 9. Lorie Lindyberg - RSU #20 High School teacher
- supports masks in school
- keep students safe, better 3' than 6' apart for teaching
- 10. Kristen Chase - RSU #20 Elementary Teacher
- follow recommendations of CDC
- parent choice & teacher choice
- D. 2021-2022 CDC Guidelines as of August 24, 2021
- Tony Bagley asked Superintendent Downing to review the CDC Guidelines
- Superintendent - The US CDC guidelines that have been adopted by the Maine CDC:
- Recommendation for universal mask wearing for students, staff, and visitors inside the school per local conditions, recommendations versus last year's guidance as required
- Tony Bagley – current status in Waldo County? Status update
- Superintendent -- based upon the federal guidance through the Maine CDC downward cycle-substantial to high, statistics come out each evening at 8:00 PM.
- Tony Bagley – up for discussion for board members
- Superintendent - yes, at August 10, 2021 Board Meeting voted on a motion : A motion Dave and second by Denise - masks are not mandatory and make optional for students and staff - specifically stated Not Mandatory
- Tony Bagley – anyone wish to speak
- Kris Braga - Difficult decision, able to see both sides of the issue - sympathize with the folks that feel like universal making is necessary to keep certain sections of the population safe Understand the thought behind all the consequences of masking opposed by the parents tonight As far as kids go - thinking primarily of the kids, the negative effects of wearing masks may outweigh the positive effects of wearing masks – really are inconclusive – that is my opinion - we don't know if masking is really effective - I am not sure making the students wear a mask each and every day is going to have a positive impact on their education. We know handwashing and social distancing works, we know historically that this is such a new disease we don't know what the consequences of mask wearing or even vaccinations are, a very, very difficult decision to make and for everyone else sitting here and to make a decision, do not have conclusive information. We do know what the negative effects are on kids and we do know probably masking, there may be some effects, again that is inconclusive. We don't know if it actually
- stops the virus; it is very difficult to be in this position to make this decision - share your thoughts.
- Tony Bagley
- Shared Dave Walsh's message – My stance has not changed. Research and science can be altered in any direction one wants at this point. That is my professional opinion at least.
- Working on "the front lines" in Augusta and Waterville I have seen zero children, little extremely ill adults, and even less patients on ventilators. I've transported 1 in the past 2 months and 5 in the past year to Maine Medical Center on a vent. Keep in mind this is a service that covers 38 towns across 4 counties and responds to 43,000 calls for service per year. Working for Belfast Ambulance I have seen 1 non severe COVID patient in the past 4 months and 3 moderately severe over the past year.
- Josh McFarlin - Important for people to understand, regardless of whether or not to keep our decision the same, Mr. Downing has the ability to immediately mandate masks, is that something you have the power to do ? - correct? If that has to happen ?
- Superintendent - if it is provided by the board
- Josh McFarlin - we have the ability to turn this around on a dime so if things get out of hand, keep our eyes on this everyday the administration will be checking on this every day and want to put people at ease, if we decide to keep the way we voted last time, we have the ability to change
- Tony Bagley – couple of questions: Do we know if every employee of RSU #20 has been vaccinated?
- Superintendent – We do not, we have been asked by the Maine DOE by September 1 deadline to do a survey of professional teaching staff and support staff - vaccinated or not - My view-disappointed by the State of Maine - we have shared our Social Security numbers and our lot number-we do not have the statistics, we have been asked to ask our staff by a blind survey.
- Tony Bagley - I have trouble telling somebody how to be parenting their child, I would be very upset if I was told how to parent my children, leads me to think, we are concerned with students with pre-existing conditions and population susceptible to Covid, age range, but if we mandate that all RSU #20 employees be vaccinated, wouldn't that remove the risk from our RSU #20 students? Mr. Downing if they wore masks, so chose too?
- Superintendent – Personal or professional opinion ? Personally: vaccinations are a personal choice Professionally: require mandates on staff, I do not agree with that.
- The way the teachers reacted last year, when staff had the opportunity to get vaccinated, staff did mostly, but some due to personal preference or medical condition did not, staff had the choice to mask and maintain social distance, and do not support mandated vaccinations.
- Tony Bagley – We do not want to or feel comfortable mandating vaccinations for staff but we have no problem potentially mandating masks for the hundreds of children and that sounds
- like-"rules for thee but not for me."
- Superintendent - the recommendation that the administration has made to the board: follow the CDC Guidelines which is a recommendation for universal mask wearing. It is not a requirement that allows a decision based upon the choice, specifically parents.
- Tony Bagley – What is your personal and professional recommendation to the board?
- Superintendent - Sounds like I am repeating myself: The US CDC guidelines that have been adopted by the Maine CDC:
- Recommendation for universal mask wearing for students, staff, and visitors inside the school per local conditions, recommendations versus last year's guidance as required
- Again: recommend, I do not see the word required in the CDC guidance
- Tony Bagley – no motion on the floor
- Kris Braga – Quick question - I did read through the SOP and there are places in here where the procedures will be "ask unvaccinated students and staff to quarantine” and my question is – how does that take place? I don't believe we should be asking if we are not asking – how do we follow that operational procedure?
- Superintendent - SOP pages 5, 6, 7? Isolation and quarantine section?
- Tony Bagley – lot of common sense things, that just doesn't make sense
- Kris Braga – Page 6 - all and part of isolation and quarantine, bunch of charts, explain ? based on the assumption - unvaccinated would be the opposite question, continuously as I look through the procedure I don't believe we should be asking but the procedures are different for quarantine, vaccination and unvaccinated.
- Tony Bagley – We are going to discuss the SOP later on the agenda, wish we have moved the SOP with discussion of this later on the agenda.
- Tony Bagley - Desire to make a motion
- Josh McFarlin - to keep masking recommended not mandatory by the school district, seconded by Tony Bagley
- Tony Bagley - Superintendent repeat the motion
- Superintendent - Masking recommended not required by the school district.
- Tony Bagley - Ask Josh to amend the motion, the first part of the motion is fine.
- Add: vill revisit this at every school board meeting every other week and also give the Superintendent authorization to make and enact adjustments, to make change to this motion based on best interest of the school and students and staff of RSU #20.
- Superintendent - Read the motion:
- Motion made by Joshua McFarlin and seconded by Tony Bagley - not mandate but follow CDC guidelines, School Board will revisit the guidelines the second and fourth Tuesday of the month and give the Superintendent the authorization to change the guidelines of mask wearing at any moment based on the safety and best interest of the students and staff.
- Tony Bagley - to board members, once you give that authority you do not get it back and if something changes next week, we can not change until the next board meeting.
- Denise Dakin - recall that we covered this in the last board meeting and Dawn asked in public session, should something change could revisit immediately;, leave to parents' choice, confused why are we bringing back this way and because we already covered technically, it is the parent's choice
- Tony Bagley - My only concern was waiting for the next board meeting for things could change in either direction rapidly and waiting two weeks before we have a board meeting.
- Denise Dakin - I understood we gave him that permission at the last board meeting and Dawn asked outright are you going to revisit this immediately and make decision changes, am I correct?
- Tony Bagley - did not give the Superintendent authorization to change the motion
- Superintendent - Two changes to the motion of August 10 - added points to the motion:
- (1) board meeting 2nd & 4th Tuesday for discussion.
- (2) in the motion - the Superintendent has the authority to make change
- Denise Dakin - that is what I am saying, two big changes
- Tony Bagley - not changing original motion - board will motion Superintendent has the authority to change right now, do not have to wait for an emergency board meeting and not have a quorum, therefore in limbo, give Mr. Downing the authority-it has got to change right now.
- Denise Dakin - He has the best interest of all our students, he is going to make that decision one way or the other
- Tony Bagley - Required the authority
- Denise Dakin - Can on the safety of the students
- Tony Bagley - that is what the motion states
- Superintendent - Public Health consultation - cancel school or make changes due to storm public health outbreak of bacterial infection Attendance Issue - Absences - exceed 15% Covid is new; Motion is a large weight - Students are my number one concern - Heavy weight but this is the motion
- Denise Dakin - no need to call board first
- Superintendent - motion for the next superintendent as well, by motion - understand the Superintendent, not Mr. Downing, motion provided that
- Denise Dakin - Superintendent would know, an outbreak would take care of it. Don't go back after the call. Don't need the rest of it, have on the agenda
- Josh McFarlin - Redundant but not hurting anything
- Denise Dakin - Enough faith, will take care of if, that is his call, do not go back, that is his call
- Tony Bagley: What is your preference, approval from the board or assume it is your responsibility?
- Superintendent - Approval from the board
- Tony Bagley - May I ask why?
- Superintendent - As I said earlier, a lot of weight to carry around as the Superintendent responds to the actions of the board; situation - goes forward or not goes forward and there is a change in the Superintendent, board has provided the authority.
- Kris Braga - Similar motion last year - closing schools - gives authority.
- Superintendent - Based upon the Color Code, Red, Yellow, Green, remote - hybrid - open - CDC established the color and administrative team would meet.
- Kris Braga - Voted to give you the authority
- Superintendent - Yes, based upon the color, would not keep a school open on Red. Change in October - went from Green to Yellow / Hybrid
- Kris Braga - What is different in regards to this, what do other people feel about this?
- Josh McFarlin - Give him authority - backing him - giving him support
- Max - written document
- Tony Bagley - Called the motion to vote -
- VOTE: 3-1-0 (Dakin-nay, (Student Rep Max Provencher-yea, Dave Walsh-Absent)
- C. Discussion of Federal ESSER #3 (ARP) Grant Projects
- Dhyana Blanchard - E #3 project list, public comments per grant, application due in December
- Board interaction for E #3 before going out to the public, will be on our website for public comment. Projects presented by staff to administration and then administration to the Superintendent, developed the list of projects, projects totals are more than grant funds will be narrowed down after public comments.
- Tony Bagley - any questions, not looking for action? informational
- Superintendent - Per the American Rescue Plan (ARP) also known as E #3, required public posting for public comments and provide introduction to the board before the final application.
- Max - Budget breakdown as there are no budget figures, no cost figures
- Dhyana Blanchard - No funding comments on public comment; funding breakdown will be a result of public comments on projects and possible additions.
- Tony Bagley - Request - budget breakdown - figures will be available example: basketball court
- Dhyana Blanchard - Prepare an application with amounts and the application will be available with amounts on the application on the website
- Kris Braga - Streaming of board meetings - we already have this
- Dhyana Blanchard - additional equipment
- Tony Bagley - previously had videos of board meetings - return to that
- Bob Bradford - sound equipment, new video equipment, dedicated for board meetings
- Kris Braga - question on supplement vs supplanting
- Dhyana Blanchard - E #3 grant does not have the requirement, projects have to be tied to Covid
- Max - question on outside classroom learning space
- Josh Toothaker - would expand the current outdoor learning so as to have more outside space; outback area, also work with Coastal Mountain Trust classroom site
- Max - question-replacement of MLTI, supplementing Chromebook funding
- Bob Bradford - MLTI continuing for the year, laptops for the other grades that do not have MLTI
- E. Consideration of Pooled Testing per August 16, 2021 ME CDC Standard Operating Procedures
- Superintendent - The SOP came out on August 12, the Board met on August 10, therefore Board had not had a chance to review nor did administrators. There is more inforn pooled testing, and the Superintendent provided a sheet of information. Superintendent provided an example of a class, 15 total, 5 opt out, 10 test - swab nostrils, swab placed in a common vile, sent out for PCR testing at a lab, results negative, no further testing for the week, positive in vile, Abbott Binax test per individual, positive student would be isolated and according to SOP-quarantine would be adjusted, positive and opt out students would be quarantined. Designed for keeping kids in school - originally designed for large school systems - RSU #20 choose not to be involved. With the change on SOP on August 12, Commissioner specifically noted in priority notice. Thus bring to the board's attention and to send in an application to be presented, as information came after the August 10 Board of Directors' meeting.
- Tony Bagley - Is Monica here tonight?
- Superintendent - No, she could not make it, she would need to train the teachers, there is a lot to it, DOE supports for all schools another way not to be quarantined.
- Tony Bagley - PBEA - how do you feel about collecting samples from students?
- PBEA response: Do what we are asked, mitigation layer
- ony Bagley - Procedure - based on example; opt out-student will not be tested; positive from initial test, then re-tested, do not have to quarantine, Superintendent referred to SOP page 5; exceptions. (Attached)
- Tony Bagley - 1. Does not make any sense - vaccinated are testing positive
- 2. CDC - Admitting normal antibodies 3. How do you prove exposure at school? when transmission happens 4. How long are elementary recesses? no masks on playground
- Superintendent - Agenda item - transparency with the SOP and commissioner's priority letter (attached)
- Max - when would the testing take place - weekly and take time away from class
- Superintendent - teacher decision - will take time, bringing forward for discussion, not supported. Recommendation: not to pool test
- Kris Braga - Recommendation but have asked for permission to apply does not meet your recommendation
- Superintendent - Recommendation - not to be be a pooled testing school but allow RSU #20 to be in the waiting que
- Kris Braga - Benefit - individual students that participate but a lot of time being involved
- Superintendent - quarantine - keep kids in school - want to be transparent with pooled testing points of priority notice:
- -vaccinations -universal masking -pooled testing
- Question from audience - 2nd Test - Abbott Binax, 1st test pooled - is PCR
- Superintendent - brought forth:
- - August 10, 2021 - Board Meeting
- - August 12, 2021 - SOP: Commissioner's Notice therefore brought forth for transparency and application question
- A motion was made by Joshua McFarlin and seconded by Tony Bagley to table for Nurse Monica
- VOTE: 4-0-0 (Student Rep Max Provencher - yea) Dave Walsh-Absent
