September 14, 2020

Board Digest

September 14, 2020

 

Following each board of education meeting, the Director of Communications recaps the board meeting in the Board Digest. To view the full agenda, click here.


Superintendent Remarks

Dr. Noble reviewed the USD 345 staffing trend report for the past five years. This report will be one of four items included in the district's annual report that is released in February.  

Click here to view the staffing trend report.


President Remarks

James Adams addressed the recent news regarding the FBI's investigation and arrest of a Seaman High School Teacher. "I implore you to continue to talk to your children about any associated social media accounts released by the FBI recently. If you have reason to believe that you or your child may be a victim, please email [email protected]. We will continue to have counselors at school for on-site and online visits," said Adams. "This moment will not define who we are, we have too many good people doing amazing things." Parents and students can find more information on the FBI's investigation by clicking here

Adams also talked about the board's decision that would follow later in the evening to transition back to full on-site learning. "The board strives to make data driven decisions as well as consider what is realistic and logistically possible. Every single decision on this issue that the board makes impacts different groups in different ways. Our job is to balance the impact as best as we can to minimize disruption and inconvenience as much as possible."

James Adams

Donations & Grants

West Indianola, North Fairview, Northern Hills, and Seaman High School libraries received $6,500 in grants from the Northeast Kansas Library System. Our libraries will use these funds to add digital books and resources to their collections. 

Logan elementary received a generous donation of $2,000.00 from Tod and Barbara Bunting.

Seaman High School received $1,800.00 in car rentals for Drivers Education from Lewis Toyota.


Board of Education Consent Agenda

The consent agenda contains items packaged into one agenda item. They are often routine and garner very little discussion. A full list of consent items can be found by visiting the BoardDocs website


R2R Update & Transition Proposal

The teaching and learning team presented a proposal that would begin to transition hybrid students back to full on-site learning in phases. The board approved the following timeline. 
  • Approved MELC (preschool) students to transition from hybrid to full on-site beginning September 21.

  • Approved K-3rd grade students to transition from hybrid to full on-site beginning September 28.

  • Approved 4-6th grade students to transition from hybrid to full on-site no later than October 5.

  • Approved the district to prepare a plan for transitioning 7-12th grade students from hybrid to full on-site and present that plan to the board by September 28.
Board Room
The board spent time listening to testimony and comments from Seaman community members, reviewing county and district health metrics, as well as survey results from preschool and elementary hybrid parents and staff. 

Surveys
Preschool and elementary staff and hybrid parents were the only groups surveyed at this time considering those were the only groups included in the phase I proposal. SMS and SHS hybrid students, SMS and SHS hybrid parents, and SMS and SHS staff will be surveyed next to help develop transition plans for secondary hybrid students to return to full on-site learning. The SMS and SHS surveys are scheduled to go out September 17 and will be open until September 22. 

Round 1 Survey Review
The board reviewed information, including the feedback from preschool and elementary hybrid parents and staff regarding the comfort level of returning to full on-site learning through survey data. Preschool and elementary staff responses included all building staff with 252 respondents overall. Below you can view a snapshot of the results from classroom teachers only. 

Teacher Results
Below is a snapshot of the preschool and elementary hybrid parent survey results with 873 respondents. This survey was emailed on September 11 and closed on September 13 at 9:00 pm. 
Parent Results
Click here to view preschool and elementary staff results.
Click here to view preschool and elementary hybrid parent results.

Health Metrics
The board also reviewed the county and district health metrics. Jenny Crowell, Director of Health Services, presented current and historical data as it relates to COVID cases. These metrics will be updated and available online each week, going forward. Click here to view the USD 345 COVID weekly reports.

COVID Report
Next Steps
The district will be soliciting parent pick-up and drop-off assistance to support the transition from hybrid to full on-site learning at preschool and elementary levels. Parents helping out with transportation will be crucial in maintaining bus safety measures.

About 72% of parents surveyed indicated that they would be willing to transport their students in order to support a full on-site learning environment. Bus safety measures currently include required masks for riders and one student per seat with the exception of siblings and daycare groups. 
Transportation Results 
Surveys will be sent out to SMS and SHS staff, SMS and SHS hybrid parents, and SMS and SHS hybrid students similar to preschool and elementary surveys. The results of this survey will be used in the plan proposal for 7-12th grade transition to full on-site learning. The secondary transition proposal will be presented to the board on September 28. 

The teaching and learning team will be working with buildings to create a smooth transition to a full on-site learning environment with the health and safety of our students, staff, and community a priority. 

Board Meeting Location Change

The board voted to move all regular meetings to the Seaman High School Band Room (4850 NW Rochester Rd), until further notice. This change will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to attend with more social distancing. Regular meetings will continue to be live streamed on the district's YouTube channel.  

Discussion Items 

  • Teaching and Learning Report
  • Special Services Report
  • Psychological/Emotional Recovery
  • Building and Grounds Report
  • Food Service Budget Report
  • Business and Finance Report

  • Action Items

    The board approved:
    • hot spot fees based on lunch status (Regular Lunch: $30/month; Reduced Lunch: $15/month; Free Lunch: No Cost)
    • opting out of the Payroll Holiday Tax.
    • the memorandum of understanding after the MOU is approved by the teacher negotiating team.
    • resolution to terminate the contract of Jeffrey Pierce. 

    Next 345 Board of Education Meeting

    The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place on October 12. It is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm. The Seaman USD #345 Board of Education will plan to meet at Seaman High School, 4850 NW Rochester Rd, in the Band Room.


    Board of Education Agenda

    To review previous board of education agendas, click here.


    How Can I Watch a Previous Board of Education Meeting?

    The video from the meeting will be available by the Tuesday at noon following the meeting. The video can be viewed by clicking here.

     

    Seaman School District USD #345
    901 NW Lyman Rd | Topeka, KS 66608