By Lisa Rice
A special meeting of the Warwick Valley Central School District Board of Education was held on Thurs., Aug. 20, following an Executive Session. It was the first meeting held in person since the district lockdown began last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board of Education adopted a resolution to reopen schools as planned with hybrid in-person and remote learning as well as fully remote learning to students on Tues., Sept. 8. It was passed by unanimous vote.
Policy 3520 COVID response and Policy 3521 COVID Workplace Student recommendations were adopted as recommended by legal counsel. The 2020-2021 Code of Conduct was adopted.
Before & After Care in all Elementary Schools
A resolution was passed to allow Edda Hamilton, the director of Village Childcare, to operate before and after care for elementary students at Sanfordville, Park Avenue and Pine Island schools from 7 to 8:45 a.m. and dismissal until 6 p.m.
School Board to Tour all Buildings Sept. 4
The Board of Education will tour the district facilities on Fri., Sept 4 at 10 a.m. to view the safety improvements that have been added. This will include the satellite building, Pine Island Elementary Kindergarten Center.
NYS Aid Reduction Expected
Superintendent Dr. David Leach reported that there is a possibility of 20% of local New York State aid payments being withheld from districts and that it could become a permanent cut. However, he added that the district had already prepared for this in its 2020-2021 budget, but he is hoping that Federal assistance to states will come through.
Superintendent/Board Pres.
Letter to Be Sent Out
Dr. Leach read a letter to be sent to district parents from himself and Board President Sharon Davis about the school reopening to students on Tues., Sept. 8. He emphasized that the district would be following the “Three Ws” – Wearing Masks, Washing Hands and Watching Your Distance.
He stated that the goal in preparing a reopening plan was to provide families with choice. Approximately 20% have chosen fully remote learning through the district’s Distance Learning Academy.
According to public health professionals, the chance of a second wave is a very real possibility and that the district is prepared if they need to close a room, a building, or the district in a moment’s notice.
Staff Training During Summer
Some staff have attended various training for professional development, including four half-day sessions on institutional racism and a “Hybrid Heroes” workshop to assist with hybrid teaching and learning.
Next Meeting
The next School Board meeting will be held on Thurs., Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. and is expected to be held in person at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center, located at 225 West St. Ext. in Warwick and via Google Meet.
