By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After pushing for the right to speak publicly at Bowling Green Board of Education meetings for the last 11 months, the public was given time at Tuesday’s board meeting to speak their minds.
Only one person signed up to speak.
Tara Loar used the time to thank the school administration and board for their leadership and ability to make difficult decisions.
“They were made 100% in an effort to protect our students, teachers and community members,” she said.
Loar, who has been supportive of the district’s decision to not hold in-person classes up until now, said she understood that the board’s decision to start with hybrid classes next week was “forced by the governor.”
She praised the teachers, who “not only have adapted, but they have thrived.” And she offered applause to students, who “have shown they are stronger” than ever imagined.
“Many of us appreciate you and your dedication to this district and our kids,” Loar said to Superintendent Francis Scruci and the board.
In other business Tuesday evening, board President Norm Geer talked about recent changes leading to the district’s return to the classrooms.
“In the last 30 days, a lot has happened,” he said. Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison explained the lack of COVID transmission being seen at schools. New CDC and Ohio Department of Health guidelines were adopted. And vaccines became available for school staffs.
“It almost feels like the beginning of school,” Geer said.
All Wood County teachers and school staffs will be offered vaccines on Friday. Bowling Green School District will host a vaccination site for BG, Elmwood, North Baltimore, Otsego and Wood County Educational Service Center employees.
Scruci said there will be approximately 1,000 people getting vaccinated at Bowling Green Middle School on Friday. Perrysburg and Penta Career Center are also hosting vaccination sites for other districts.
“This is a huge undertaking,” Scruci said. Geer thanked Scruci for taking a lead offering the district for vaccinations.
The school district is partnering with Wood County Hospital and Wood County Health Department. Staff has been able to easily sign up on the Wood County Hospital site in 30 seconds, Scruci said.
“Their professional approach is so much appreciated,” he said of the hospital. “This allows us to return to school in a safer environment.”
The high school will start back in hybrid form on Monday, since all the juniors will be taking the ACT in the school on Tuesday. Students in other buildings will start back on Tuesday.
“Our teachers and students are excited to get back,” Scruci said.
Masks will be required, six foot social distancing will be encouraged, and use of handwashing and hand sanitizers will be urged.
Scruci thanked the principals, teachers, guidance counselors, custodial staff, food service workers and bus drivers for their work and willingness to shift gears to hybrid in school learning.
“This certainly has not been an easy undertaking,” for the school district, students and families, he said.
Scruci reported the latest local COVID numbers – with 72 active cases as of Monday. That is the lowest number seen for months, he said.
In preparation for next week, the board acted to return those non-teaching employees who were laid off at the beginning of the school year due to COVID.
“That’s another sign things are getting back to normal,” Scruci said.
In preparation for returning to classrooms, Scruci said Conneaut Principal Alyssa Karaffa expressed concerns about expected traffic congestion from more parents transporting their students to and from the elementary.
Working with the city, a temporary extension of Faye Avenue will be made to City Park to allow parents to drop off and pick up their children. The extension will be gated, so it can only be used on weekdays from 8:15 to 9 a.m., and from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.
Scruci thanked the city’s partnership on the project, and said it is hoped the new route will be open next week.
The school board also discussed the need to come up with a plan by April 1 for the state on steps to help students catch up for the year. The administration team is discussing plans and will present them at the March board meeting, Scruci said.
Among the possible solutions are extended day plans and summer school with a focus on English, language arts and math.
District Treasurer Cathy Schuller talked about the possibility of additional funds to help with those type of learning recovery programs.
In other business, the board voted to hire Josh Wade as a high school social studies teacher and head football coach. Scruci described Wade as a coach who “builds relationships with kids and builds relationships with families.”
Wade said he is excited to join the Bowling Green City School District, adding that he and his family are “already Bobcat proud.”
