We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Under Governor Steve Bullock’s Directive for a Phased Reopening of Montana, beginning May 7, all schools were given the option to return to in-classroom teaching delivery. However, none of the area schools will be opening their buildings for the remainder of this school year.
This new gubernatorial directive rescinded the school closure directive and essentially returned education back to local control by districts. Nothing in the Directive, however, prevents a local school board from declaring a local emergency as provided in § 20-9-806, MCA. Local boards and their districts that make such a declaration will continue to receive full funding support from the state, not only to fund transportation but to provide learning.
At a special meeting held Monday morning, the Turner Board of Trustees voted to declare an emergency based on COVID-19 risks for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
According to Turner Superintendent, Tony Warren: “The Blaine County Health Department and the district’s insurance company strongly recommended that we do not return to classroom learning this school year. The district will continue implementing our remote learning plan for the last several weeks of the school year. Our last day of instruction will be May 19. We will be in touch in the coming days and weeks with additional information regarding graduation and student check out procedures.”
The Harlem School Board called its Special Board Meeting at noon on April 27. Due to social distancing protocols and for everyone’s safety, the meeting was held through a Zoom video conference. After discussion, the Board voted to remain closed for the remainder of the school year. Harlem’s last day of instruction is May 22, and school officials have formed a committee to work on plans for a graduation ceremony. Through June 30 during the implemented school closure, access to Harlem School District facilities will not be permissible.
Chinook School Board of Trustees also held a special meeting via Zoom video conference on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. to consider school options for finishing the year. In a 5-3 vote, the Board decided to declare an unforeseen emergency and to remain closed for the remainder of the school year. The declaration allows Chinook Schools to continue their online/packet learning format. The last day of instruction for seniors is May 15, while May 22 is the final day for all other students.
“We were one of two districts in the State that didn’t have an 8-0 vote,” Superintendent of Chinook School District, Darin Hannum reported. “Our insurance company cautioned us against reopening, saying we would be putting ourselves at risk.”
Along with the declaration, the district would like to emphasize several key points:
• Students are required to continue attending online classes and meetings (the normal attendance requirement). If they are unable to make it to the meetings or are struggling, please contact the teacher.
• The school grading process will continue as it has been established at the respective buildings.
• Staff will continue contacting students to work on interventions and positive progress.
• If anyone has issues or damaged technology, please contact the school as soon as possible.
• The administration is working on a process to check in materials during the last week of school.
• Due to the school board declaration, all indoor and outdoor facilities will remain closed for the balance of the school year.
Hannum added: “Chinook Public Schools would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding with our current situation. The continued hard work of students, parents, and the Chinook staff will help our students succeed in this new education environment.”
After their Tuesday night Board Meeting, Superintendent at Hays-Lodge Pole Schools, Dan Lantis reported that the trustees voted unanimously to remain closed for the rest of the year and continue with distance learning. “To make it all legal, we had to declare a local emergency as provided under Montana law. We also received strong recommendations from the Tribal Council to not go back, and being a school on the reservation, we tend to listen to what they have to say,” Lantis said.
“The last day of instruction in Hay-Lodge Pole is May 21, and any decisions about summer school will occur in July or August when we come more and more out from under the grips of this health situation,” Lantis added.
Lantis also expressed gratitude to Triangle Telephone for providing internet connectivity in the area so that the school could communicate with its students in a distance learning model.
In Zurich, on the question of reopening, the school board will hold its meeting on May 6. School administrator, Colleen Overcast said a reopening is not likely but that the final decision will be the Board of Trustees’ to make. Also, upon approval at tonight’s Board Meeting, Zurich’s last day of instruction is slated for May 20 since the students and teachers worked over Easter break.
Overcast went on to explain, “Sadly, there are no plans for eighth grade graduation at Zurich School. Our celebration will be in completing the year! My heart is much sadder for the seniors, but there will be better days!”
The Governor’s Reopening Directive regarding schools includes considerations for cleaning and sanitation, sick policies, limiting class sizes, maintaining social distance, and holding graduation ceremonies. While practices such as providing sanitizer and frequently disinfecting door handles, desks, and other common spaces are all within the scope of a school’s power, others such as keeping libraries, gyms, and playgrounds off limits unless they can be sanitized between groups pose challenges.
While implementing temperature checks and/or symptom screening may be practical, breaking larger classes into smaller groups and reducing bus loads to allow for one student per seat would necessitate hiring more staff and running additional buses, expenses for which schools have not budgeted.
In outlining recommendations for graduation ceremonies, Bullock’s Plan suggests providing a live stream of graduation, limiting spectator attendance, and following social distancing between families.
Taking this advice into account, Hannum said, “We are currently working on a plan for graduation that includes a drive-in movie format. It has not been finalized yet, but we have a great start.”
Current plans suggest that the ceremony will be held on May 17 at the Blaine County Fairgrounds with the seniors and their families in cars. “We will show the traditional senior video on the back of the grandstand, kind of like the Blaine County Cruisers have done in the past with their drive-in movie. We hope to also have the valedictorian and salutatorian speeches on the ‘big screen’ in addition to the scholarship presentations. The community is stepping in with plans for making the ceremony special for our seniors and their families,” Hannum added.
Regarding graduation in Hays-Lodge Pole, Lantis explained, “We asked the seniors what they wanted to do, and they voted to have a regular gradation after the restrictions are lifted, so that is what we plan to do.”
