No change in Hurley School pandemic policy

By TOM LAVENTURE

[email protected]

Hurley — The Hurley K-12 School administrator recommended no changes regarding pandemic attendance policies at the Monday school board meeting.

Last March no one could predict what the situation would be right now, said Kevin Genisot, school district administrator. The school district plan to move forward was based on the latest information in consultation with the Iron County Health Department and that will continue with the understanding that no one knows what the situation will be six months from now.

“We are starting our eighth week of school and things have been going much smoother than we had ever envisioned,” Genisot said in his report. “We knew we would have positive cases and students and staff would be under a quarantine, but we thought the numbers would have been higher, especially by now. We are hopeful that we can continue moving forward with a consistent and well understood approach.” 

Pre-kindergarten to fifth-grade Principal Steve Lombardo said in his report there were two positive COVID-19 cases in the elementary school since the last school board meeting. The pandemic protocols were put into action and the county health department provided guidance and contact tracing.

“Both students, as well as those in close contact, are back in the building,” Lombardo said. 

There is currently one kindergarten section on quarantine from school after a student tested positive, he said. Five first-graders who were in close contact with a student who is positive in the class are also in quarantine. 

All students and teachers are expected back in school on Oct. 26 if they are symptom free, Lombardo said.

Laurie Lund, a fifth-grade teacher at Hurley School, expressed her concerns regarding school quarantine policies in the public comment portion of the meeting. She encouraged the administration to reconsider the policy and to quarantine an entire classroom when a student or faculty member in the classroom tests positive for COVID-19. 

“I feel the most proactive and prudent measure would be to quarantine that entire group of kids,” Lund said.

The younger kids aren’t masked the entire day and they eat together in the classroom where they can be very talkative, she said. The close quarters of the classroom environment is a potential risk with the presence of the virus, she said.

Genisot responded saying that he would express the concerns to the county health department. The school district works to keep all students safe and there are many factors with quarantining decisions to include class size, while at the same time the school does not want to be overly reactive regarding quarantining.

“We have talked at great length with the health department and we rely on them as I am not a health expert,” Genisot said. 

The board approved 4-1 to authorize the school district to charge a $500 deposit and to create a fee structure and contract for participants in the boys club hockey co-op with Ashland School District. 

Steve Lombardo, school district athletic director, said the annual fees are based on the number of participants, rink fees and other shared costs. Last year each player was assessed $1,788.94. He said the contract would ensure the school is not liable for unpaid fees and recommended a $700 up front payment by the start of the season on Nov. 16.

School board member Kathy Levra voted against the contract saying the hockey program has thrived for three seasons at the club level and that the school district should now share in the costs that she considered excessive for families to participate.

Lombardo continued with the athletic director’s report, noting that the fall sports programming has been successful in terms of not encountering the COVID-19 related cancellations that have hampered other school districts throughout the state. The cross-country and volleyball teams are entering tournament play this week, and the football team will be competing to qualify for an abbreviated tournament starting Nov. 13.

In the school finance officer’s report, Breanne Lombardo said the Summer Food Service Program was extended through the remainder of the school year. This means that students can eat free breakfast and lunch until June 30, 2021.

“We are currently averaging about 87 breakfasts and 219 lunches per day,” she said in her report. 

Grades 6-12 Principal Melissa Oja said in her report that with the synchronous learning (virtual attendance from home) option not continuing into the second quarter, a few students have transitioned back into the building, while others plan to enroll in the Odysseyware program. A few others are looking at the Educere program as the best fit for their children.

“I will be in touch with our synchronous families in the coming days to finalize plans,” Oja said. 

Oja said that she is tracking student attendance and behavior. She corresponds with families and facilitates meetings to address concerns or red flags.

“Communication is essential to student success in all areas, and we will continue to reach out to families with as much information as possible,” Oja said. 

The homecoming events went well with modifications that encourage social distancing guidelines, she said. More activities are pending including a winter homecoming in February.

In the rest of his report, Lombardo said virtual learning changes in the second quarter have resulted in exploring other options. The Educere program looks to be the best benefit for elementary school families. 

“I will be contacting those parents this week to inform them of the next steps,” Lombardo said. 

Parent-teacher conferences for all grades are scheduled for Nov. 11-12 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. The meetings will be offered in a virtual format.

In other business, the school board unanimously approved:

—School board member salaries at $175 a month with the federal mileage reimbursement and expenses.

—Providing transportation for school district students who live within two miles of the school.

—Authorizing legal counsel to the school board when necessary.

—Allowing 12 students to participate in the early college credit program.

—The school district tax levy and annual budget.

—The next annual school board annual meeting and budget hearing to coincide with the regular meeting of Oct. 5, 2021.