By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education has rescinded its decision to go back to school full time on March 29.
One week after voting unanimously to go back to school in person five days a week, three of the board members – Norm Geer, Jill Carr and Ginny Stewart – reversed their decisions Tuesday evening.
The reversal – made during the first board meeting allowing public input in more than a year – was met with fanfare by some parents and fury by others.
It was met with frustration by Superintendent Francis Scruci.
“We’ve got people who thought we were going back and now we’re not going back,” Scruci said. “No more flip-flopping.”
The three-hour meeting ended with a decision by the board to meet on Saturday, at 9 a.m., to discuss solutions that meet the needs of students who need in-person learning, and those who need better remote learning options. A decision will be made on Saturday, said board President Norm Geer.
Geer began Tuesday’s meeting by expressing his regret in allowing the vote at last week’s workshop meeting – which was legal, but made without public comment.
“I’m disappointed in myself for what happened a week ago,” Geer said. “As president, I should have done better.”
Board members Jill Carr and Ginny Stewart talked about the onslaught of comments they had received since the vote.
“Yes, I voted in favor,” Carr said, adding that she believed board solidarity was needed. However, she said her vote to return to full-time in-person classes was the first decision she made on the board that she doubted afterward.
“I am no longer supportive,” she said, making a motion that the decision be rescinded. The motion was seconded by Stewart.
Stewart said she also believed that public comments should have been gathered prior to the decision.
“I was blindsided by the motion that was made,” she said.”My vote was not consistent with my beliefs.”
Board members Tracy Hovest and Ryan Myers stuck by their original decisions to return to school full time. Hovest said the board has received a lot of input over the last several months – all which should be weighed by the board.
“I stand by the motion I made last week,” Hovest said. “We have failed to act. We’ve come up with all kinds of reasons why we can’t. I’ve yet to hear how we can.”
“I’m just asking that we act in the best interest of the students,” she said. “Every other district is putting kids in the classrooms.”
Hovest asked that the district come up with creative solutions.
“Give these students the education they deserve,” she said.
Myers explained that his vote last week was not a snap judgment. He visited a neighboring district where students are attending five days a week. He contacted the Wood County Health Department for further information, and he works at Penta Career Center which has been open since last June.
Parents who came ready to thank the board for voting to go back to full-time in-person learning were shaken by the reversal.
“We have gotten nothing but false hope from this board and this superintendent,” said Jessica Swaisgood. “What about our children. It is not fair to them.”
“They are scarred and suffering,” she said. “Stand up and do the right thing.”
Melissa Hill thanked Hovest and Myers for understanding the need to get kids back into schools.
“Thank you for being constant advocates. Thank you for hearing our voices,” she said.
“We can’t let the fear of few cripple the district,” Hill said.
The district’s decision to not hold any in-person classes until two weeks ago has turned some students into “zombies” learning from their computers, Hill said. While she sympathized with families who want the choice to learn at home – she also wants the choice for her children to learn in school.
But another parent, Jayson Wiseman called the decision to go back full-time “foolhardy,” especially considering the fact that current COVID cases outnumber those at the beginning of the school year.
“The decision to go back to school should be based on fact,” Wiseman said, pointing out a statement from Scruci that the district can’t guarantee recommended spacing between students at all times. Wiseman also said the district can’t properly ventilate classrooms.
“You’re asking me to subject my children to that?”
Jennifer Sauber criticized the three board members who “succumbed to the pressure of the community.”
“I came here fully prepared tonight to thank the board,” she said. “I’m completely baffled and caught off guard.”
Sauber questioned how the district can justify athletics, where no masks or social distancing are required.
“That’s total hypocrisy. We have sports going on, but we can’t get our kids in the classroom,” she said.
Jason Whitfield talked about the need for the board to make “rational science-based decisions.” He referred to the vote to go back full time as an “unequivocally clear departure” from science and reason.
Whitfield also pointed out the deficiencies of the NOVA online program, which doesn’t offer AP or honors options. He suggested that the district provide both in-person and online courses to meet the needs of all students.
Claire Silverman shared comments from students who responded anonymously to a survey about in-person classes. Some voiced concerns about at-risk family members, improper mask wearing and small classrooms.
The board also heard directly from some students. Jonathan Sayer, a junior, talked about the sacrifice he made by sitting out a year of soccer because he wanted to keep his family safe from COVID.
“I love my family and I care about their health,” he said.
Sayer said he focused on his school work, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, taking two AP classes and competing in the DECA state championship. His choices now are to shift to NOVA classes – which don’t offer honors or AP classes – or attend school full time and put his family at risk.
“I felt confused and betrayed,” by the board decision to return full-time, he said. Sayer said he doesn’t want to have to decide between his family and his education.
Senior Ellie Boyle talked about the inability of the district to guarantee three feet of space between students. She said more than 320 students and parents have signed a petition asking for safety measures like mandatory open windows and outdoor lunches, plus synchronous virtual classes.
“I hope we can come to a compromise that will help all students,” Boyle said.
Some parents also sought solutions that met the needs of those students who learn better in the classroom, and those who feel safer learning from home. Though the opinions varied greatly, the parents and board members share a common goal.
“There’s a sense of wanting to do the best for our kids,” Kirsty Sayer said.
Sayer pointed out that the spaced out seating at Tuesday’s board meeting provided more distance than classrooms can offer. She asked that the board allow some students to continue learning at home by allowing them to watch their classes remotely.
Sherrie Sparks asked the board to consider safety measures like having adequate substitutes, enough PPE for teachers, and safe spacing in classrooms and cafeterias.
“All we’re asking is let’s do it safely,” she said.
Kevin McCluney cautioned that “masks are not magical.” Schools that have low transmission of COVID also have space to allow more distance between students and adequate ventilation systems.
But Ben Otley expressed frustration at the board’s reversal.
“To say that I’m disappointed in what just occurred is an understatement,” he said. “I can’t believe what happened.”
Otley applauded the “two board members who stuck by their convictions,” and chastised the others. “It is not what leaders do.”
Jamie Alt said she was “disheartened by the change of events tonight.” She referred to the board members who changed their votes after they received messages opposed to opening school full time.
Like many parents who felt their children were going back to school, “I didn’t send an email,” Alt said.
Parents who want better virtual options for their students shouldn’t mean her student loses out on in-person learning, she said. The district’s decision to stick with remote learning for so long has put students at a real disadvantage that could ultimately affect their futures, Alt said.
“I urge you to stop penalizing our students who need in-person learning,” she said. “Help our kids, please.”
Another parent said her son attends St. John’s, where they livestream classes for students at home.
Hovest asked that creative options like that be considered. While advanced students should have access to their AP classes, students struggling academically and emotionally should be in school, she said. Those students “have not had an option all year,” she added.
Stewart suggested that the board workshop planned for Saturday on district finances instead focus on a solution for in-person and remote students. No public comment will be taken at the meeting in the Performing Arts Center, but action will be taken.
