By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education has heard parents – those who want their children back in school and those who want to continue remote learning. And on Thursday, the board hopes to find some common ground by meeting with a small group of parents on both sides of the issue.
“If there is one thing I know, it’s that every one of them, as well as the members of this board all want what is best for our students and teachers,” school board President Ginny Stewart said during Tuesday’s regular board meeting. “We just don’t agree on a method.”
The parent meeting can be viewed live on the district’s Facebook page, starting at 2 p.m., and later on the district’s website. In addition to parents, there will also be two board members, Stewart and Tracy Hovest, plus Superintendent Francis Scruci and some members of the school administration. An independent moderator has been asked to mediate the meeting.
“We certainly respect the right to disagree,” Scruci said during Tuesday’s meeting. “We understand the burden this has caused our families.”
Hovest made a motion that the school board re-evaluate the option of reopening the school buildings at least monthly during the regular board meetings. All the board agreed.
On Wednesday, board members Norm Geer and Hovest will meet with Scruci about setting thresholds for coming back to in-person classes and going back to remote learning if necessary.
At the end of the Tuesday’s meeting, board member Bill Clifford read his resignation to the board, effective Nov. 1. Clifford, who has served on the board for five years, said has enjoyed the collaboration on the board.
“It has been an honor and privilege” to serve with the other board members and the school administration, he said.
Clifford made it clear that his decision was not based on the split vote last month over going back to in-person classes.
“This has nothing to do with the most recent decision,” he said, but more about family changes including a new grandchild.
Stewart thanked Clifford for his service.
“I will really miss you,” she said. “We haven’t always agreed, but we have managed to come to consensus.”
Stewart said the board will be getting information to the public no later than Monday about the process for filling the opening.
Also at the meeting, Scruci reported on the number of withdrawals from the district since the decision was made to go with all online classes. Between July and Oct. 13, the district had 259 withdrawals and 338 entries.
Of the 259 students who left the district, Scruci said 25 moved out of state, two moved out of the country, 47 entered non-public or EdChoice options, 48 changed to homeschooling, 120 moved to other districts, 13 withdrew from the preschool program, and four dropped out.
Scruci also talked about the three areas of improvement the district is working on with the remote classes. They include bettering services for at-risk students, offering more social-emotional support, and increasing instruction time.
“Hopefully soon we can get kids back in the classroom on a regular basis,” he said. But until then, the district is working to improve its online learning.
Melanie Garbig, executive director of pupil services, talked about efforts by teachers and intervention specialists to identify students with special needs who need in-person time.
Small study groups are being planned remotely. In some cases, students will be able to sit in the cafeteria for their Google classes, so they will have access to tutoring and other intervention help.
As for social-emotional needs, Garbig said the elementary curriculum has been addressing that subject since the beginning of school. Some face-to-face counseling may be offered. And the school psychologist is planning online “playground time” for young students.
“Many people are stepping up to that challenge,” Garbig said. “Everyone’s willing to do the work to make sure our students are supported.”
Parents can request this extra help for their children, Scruci said.
“If you see anything that concerns you, please contact your building,” he said.
And in order to provide more instruction time, the district is working on scheduling more contact time with students for the beginning of the next nine-week period, Scruci said.
Scruci also reported that the high school and middle school administrators are working to schedule meetings of clubs and activities such as Vo-Ag, DECA, drama club, choir and Model UN.
“Teachers are reaching out and trying to make connections with students,” Scruci said.
The superintendent also recognized the accomplishments of the fall sports teams, including cross country, volleyball, football and girls soccer.
In other business, the board hired three more nurses so there will be a nurse in each of the five school buildings. The board also approved the purchase of two school buses, for a total of $196,997 with a portion being paid for with grant funding.
