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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hoco reopening nutjobs:

One of the BOE members explained the voting about Q4,  and I kind of feel you read  this already, and just want  to complain.  As  explained,  the superintendent has the authority without the board, in Q4, to return certain  groups.  You can read the explanation on these members' FB pages. You won't find it on the crazy pages. 
That  being  said,  the vaccine rollout  may change a lot of things, regardless. Maybe by Q4, but if they aren't readily  available to teachers, no- of course schools aren't going back in the building. [/quote]

Keep being disrespectful and dismissive. It helps so much!

Normal parent here.  I appreciate the BOE member's explanation of her vote on Facebook, although I still think her position was unclear, because I came away with a different understanding than that of the PP. I was under the impression that she was saying that the Superintendent didn't need BOE approval to bring back small groups (not general student cohorts like K-2) at any time, and they can return to the building even before the 4th quarter. I hope that in future meetings, the players will clarify the difference between small target groups and general populations of students, even if grouped in to smaller subgroups (such as K-2).

Regardless of what I understand or what she meant, it is nice that the new members are taking the time to be transparent about their decisions. However, it would be even better if they could do that at the Board's open meetings when the public is watching.  I'm not one of the crazy reopen parents or one who fought redistricting, but as those groups have illustrated in their battles, when there is the appearance of impropriety, confidence in the BOE suffers. If the board wants to vote on any issue, the issue needs to be on the public agenda in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The board should do the right thing using the correct process.

As noted in the prior posts, many families are most concerned that there has been no progress toward developing a plan for returning general populations of students using a hybrid model, which means any model under which less than the full student population would be in the school buildings 5 days per week. The proposal developed by Dr. M. was deemed to be unacceptable, but what are the alternatives?  What happens next year if the metrics and vaccine distribution aren't at a level to allow a return 5 days per week? Are there any realistic alternatives that promote safety but allow some in person learning with teachers in the building for students who need it the most?

Whether or not it is their intention, the faction of the BOE voting against Dr. M's requests give the impression that they want to obstruct formulation of any return to school plan, as opposed to systemically considering and planning to address each safety or logistical concern in good faith. It is almost as if they think it is disrespectful to discuss returning to school at some point in the future because we are in a surge. If that is the case, then they should say so. I agree it is unsafe to return now. Doesn't that make now the ideal time to plan?

I hope the parties can drill down on all of the issues and specify each moving part that needs to fall into place to make it safe to return. If teachers are able to get vaccinated by next spring (or summer) and the metrics improve to the lower levels the Board voted on for returning to school, what other hurdles must be cleared to return students to the buildings, even if it just K-2, or some other group of students who need in person learning the most? Are there HVAC improvements that still need to be made? How much more funding is needed to address important issues? Do we need a virtual only option for families that want it, which would remove some students from the population that would attend school in person and allow educators with concerns to continue to work remotely?

If DL is here for the long haul, meaning through this year and the beginning of the next school year, if not beyond, it would be helpful to have the BOE acknowledge that. It is easier to accept bad news when you understand the reasoning. I watch the meetings closely and cannot envision any outcome whereby the majority of the BOE (or the union rep.) will accept any return to school unless the pandemic is completely over, meaning there is no community transmission. As they have said repeatedly, it is a matter of teacher and student safety and teaching does not require any teacher risking the life or health of the teacher or family member of a teacher who might be exposed through teaching in person. Will the vaccine really change this, especially if children have not been vaccinated? Will all family member of teachers also be vaccinated?  The vaccines will not fix these problems. Hybrid plans involving normal classroom numbers with some learning virtually and others in person are off the table, so the only option would be full return to the buildings. If it isn't "safe" to have in person school during a pandemic, it will not be business as usual in the fall. There is no point continuing to work on return to school plans, and the BOE should make this known to the community now. [/quote]

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