>>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL CALLED SCHOOL BOARD
[1. Meeting Called to Order by Chair Alderton]
[00:00:08]
MEETING FOR JANUARY TO THE FOURTH, 2022.I AM CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 16:35 P.M.
SO EVERYBODY, JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE LOGGED IN TO ESB AND HAVE JOINED THE MEETING SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY VOTES.
AT THIS TIME I SEE A MOTION TO -- I'M SORRY, LET US HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FIRST.
>>> OKAY, THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
I DO NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
>>> MADAM CHAIRMAN, THE AGENDA.
>>> OKAY, I HAVE MS. GREENE WAS SECONDS, GO AHEAD AND VOTE, ESB.
SO WE ARE MOVING RIGHT ALONG, AND WE HAVE A COVID-19 MITIGATION STRATEGY
[2. Adopt the Agenda for the February 24th Special Called School Board Meeting]
UPDATE.I AM GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR. HUTCHINGS P THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN I AM GOING TO ACTUALLY TURN THINGS OVER TO DR. CRAWFORD TO PROVIDE US WITH AN UPDATE.
AS YOU ALL KNOW HE HAD A RECENT SENATE BILL THAT WAS PASSED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST WEEK, AND WE WANTED TO FIND IT UPDATE TO THE BOARD AS WELL AS A RECOMMENDATION FOR XCENDA - ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>>> THANK YOU, DR. MINDSHARE GREENE, WAS OF THE BOARD IS NICE TO SEE EVERYONE I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE MITIGATION STRATEGY UPDATE.
AS WE ALWAYS DO, JUST VERY LEVEL OF COMMITTEE THIS
[ 5. COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy Update (Updated presentation added 2/24/22)]
MISSION, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE COLOR AND NUMBER WERE STILL AT HIGH COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA.I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT OUR NUMBER CONTINUES TO DECREASE WHICH IS POSITIVE NEWS, SO JUST FOR A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE, WHEN WE MET ON FEBRUARY 10TH, THAT NUMBER WAS 251 VICK-MACK EIGHT.
SO WE ARE CONTINUE TO DECLINE.
WE ARE LOOKING TO BE BELOW 100 WHICH WILL PUT US IN POTENTIAL, AND EVENTUALLY BELOW 50, WHICH WILL PUT US IN THE MODERATE RANGE.
IS THE BOARD IS AWARE, SENATE BILL 739 WAS PASSED, INCLUDING AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE FOR IMPLEMENTATION ON MARCH 1ST.
BASED ON THIS BILL AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS MAY CHOOSE TO OPT OUT OF MASKING WHILE AT SCHOOL EFFECTIVE MARCH 1ST.
I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT THE LINK YOU SEE IN THIS LIGHT IS SPECIFIC TO THE MASKING SECTION OF THE BILL, SO IT IS NOT THE BILL IN ITS ENTIRETY, THE LINK IS THERE FOR ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
BUT I WOULD CALL THE BOYS ATTENTION TO THE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL WHERE IT SAYS, "THE BILL PROVIDES THAT NO PARENT MAKING SUCH ELECTION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A REASON OR ANY CERTIFICATION OF THE CHILD'S HEALTH OR EDUCATION STATUS, AND NO STUDENTS SHALL SUFFER ANY ADVERSE DISCIPLINARY OR ACADEMIC CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT OF THE PARENT ELECTION.
SO, ON THAT NOTE I ALSO WANT APPLIES TO OUR STUDENTS.
IT DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR STAFF MEMBERS.
I DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR.
AS A CPS EMPLOYEES, WE FOLLOWED UP THE LABOR OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS KNOWN AS - [INAUDIBLE] THAT APPLIES TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN ANY AREA OF SUBSTANTIAL OR HIGH COMMISSION, REGARDING SOME VACCINATION STATUS MUST WEAR MASKS.
SO THIS BILL THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND THAT CERTAINLY HAS RECEIVED A LOT
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OF PRESS SPECIFIC TO OUR FIRM IN MAKING A MASK OPTIONAL BUT NOT STAFF MEMBERS.STAFF MEMBERS HAD TO CONTINUE MASTERING.
>>> I ALSO TO NOTE THAT WHAT I REFERENCE WITH THE DUBSTEP LABOR STANDARD IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW AND REVISION.
IT'S IN THE FEEDBACK PERIOD SO WE WILL MONITOR THAT.
BE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND SHOULD THERE BE ANY CHANGES WE WILL, OF COURSE, UPDATE THE BOARD AND OUR EMPLOYEES AT THAT TIME.
THIS BRINGS US TO OUR UPDATED MITIGATING MEASURES AND OUR RECOMMENDATION.
WHILE WE KNOW THAT SB 79 ALLOWS FOR PARENTS TO ELECT TO OPT OUT OF MASK WEARING WHILE AT SCHOOL, ACPS IS HIGHLY COMMITTING WAY MASTERING PAIRS OF HIGHER SENTENTIAL TRANSMISSION IN OUR BUILDINGS AND OUR VEHICLES.
SO TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE WE ARE ASKING OUR FAMILIES TO CONSIDER THE LIVES OF COMMITTEE TRANSMISSION.
WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SEEN MASKING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE MANY 4 GETTING MEASURE.
WE RESPECT TO THE SENATE BILL 739, AND WILL PROVIDE THE ELECTION TO OUR PARENTS TO OPT OUT OF THAT.
WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS COULD BE A PERIOD OF 94 OUR PARENTS OR STUDENTS.
WE BEEN SHARING WITH THEM FOR THE LAST ALMOST TWO YEARS THAT MASKING IS HELPING PROTECT YOU AND THOSE AROUND YOU.
AND THAT THIS WILL BE A BIG TRANSITION IN OUR SCHOOLS.
SO AS THE BOARD HAS HEARD FOR SOME TIME TO TALK ABOUT CELE ENTERCOELOUS, WE WERE ABLE TO TAEL - TAYLOR COMMERCIAL INSTITUTE TALKING ABOUT THE MASK UPDATE AND, VERY IMPORTANTLY, TALK ABOUT DECISIONS THAT PEOPLE MAKE, AND RESPECTING DIFFERENCES AND RESPECTING DECISIONS.
WE KNOW THERE ARE A WIDE VARIETY OF OPINIONS ON THE SUBJECT, AND WHEN YOU ARE IN SCHOOL WE ARE COMMITTEE, AND WE CHOOSE TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER'S DECISION-MAKING.
SO THAT WILL BE EMBEDDED INTO OUR CIRCLES INTO INTO OUR SEO LESSONS AS WE GO INTO THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.
>>> THE BOARD ALSO WHERE WE HAVE PROVIDED K AND 95 MAX FOUR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS, GAVE A BUNCH TO EVERYONE.
MOVING FORWARD WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE K N95 MASKS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS JUST UPON REQUEST.
SO IF YOU DO HAVE A STUDENT WHO REFUSES TO MASK OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE WEARING A -DASH CHOOSE TO MASS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE WEARING A HIGH QUALITY MASK, SO THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT SCHOOLS.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES WILL CONTINUE, LIKE OUR VACCINE 5 AVAILABILITY, ARE OPTIONAL WEEKLY SCREENING TESTING, ALREADY TESTING FOR OUR UNVACCINATED ATHLETES AND MEASURES RELATED TO VENTILATION, HANDWASHING OR DAILY TEMPERATURE SCREENING AND OUR DAILY SYMPTOM CHECKER THOSE ARE EDUCATED TO RUN TO THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO VERY BRIEFLY I WANT YOU TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLUG A COUPLE THINGS.
YOU WILL SEE AN EXPRESS TOMORROW THAT WE DO HAVE A SURVEY LINK BEING SENT TO FAMILIES ASKING ABOUT THE INTEREST IF VACCINATION WERE OFFERED IN SCHOOL.
WOULD PAY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DOING THAT, WOULD THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER ACCOMPANYING THE STUDENT TO THE SCHOOL FOR THAT VACCINE.
OR DO THEY PREFER TO KEEP GOING WITH THE AFTERSCHOOL AND OVER THE WEEKEND.
NOW WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT SURVEY INFORMATION, COMBINED WITH A WONDERFUL PARTNER TO ALEXANDER HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE INVESTIGATING IDENTIFYING THE VACCINATION RATE BY SCHOOL, SO THAT, THAT VACCINATION RATE BY SCHOOL, KNOWING OUR FAMILY INTERESTS, WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP AN OUTREACH PLAN THAT REALLY TALES YOU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TO THINK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WANTED TO THANK THE BOARD FOR EXPANDING THE VACCINATION PODS TO CHARLES BARRETT AND JEFFERSON USED IN THOSE COMMITTEE'S ANGELES BORDER MYSTERIES ROTATED FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND HAVING THAT COME TO YOUR COMMITTEE.
THIS WEEK WE BEGAN OUR TEST TO STATE PILOT FOR THE STATE AT THE THREE LOCATIONS OF WILDCARD, JAMES CAPEL AND ALEXANDER CITY SATELLITE.
WE ALSO BEGAN OUR DAY SIX TESTING THIS WEEK.
ANY STUDENTS WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE IN REVEALING BETTER, SYMPTOMS WILL RESULT, MONITORING TO RETURN TO SCHOOL EARLY, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE TESTING A SCHOOL OR PROVIDE HOME TESTING.
WE WERE THINKING ARE FAMILY AND STUDENTS AND STAFF FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THEIR PATIENTS WITH THIS PROCESS.
AND HAS BEEN COMING TOGETHER AND EVERY DAY HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT IT IS A LOT OF INFORMATION TO TRY AND PUT TOGETHER, PARTICULARLY AT SOME OF OUR LARGER SCHOOLS.
SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT.
>>> AND LEFT WITH MR. THE BBS TESTING PROGRAM, THE WEEKLY PROGRAM, THE ANTICIPATED START DATE IS MARCH 14TH WITH OUR NEW VENDOR.
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I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, AGAIN IT OPTIONAL TO PROVIDE CONSENT 120 WEEKENDS APPROACH TO EVERY WEEK.AND UNTIL WE MOVED TO THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR PERIOD OF WEEKLY TESTING.
AND WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
I HAVE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD SO I START WITH MS. IGNACIO.
MY QUESTION IS AROUND THE VACCINATION PROCESS.
I KNOW PARTIALLY A MONTH AGO THIS WAS BROUGHT UP OF GETTING 7 STUDENTS VACCINATED IN THE SCHOOLS.
I'M CONCERNED IF A SURVEY LINK IS ALL WE ARE USING TO REACH THAT FAMILIES, THEN WE ARE NOT REACHING THOSE FAMILIES THAT WERE STRUGGLING TO GET VACCINATED ANYWAY.
SO WHAT OTHER MEASURES ARE USING, AND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO GET THOSE VACCINATIONS IN THOSE SCHOOLS?
>>> GOOD QUESTION, AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER MEASURES.
'S ARE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT TO HELP THEM IS LITERALLY GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR.
THERE KNOCKING ON DOORS AND COMMITTEE'S AND ASKING FAMILIES, ARE YOU VACCINATED? IF NOT, ARE THERE QUESTION WE CAN ANSWER? THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS IN A SURVEY WE THOUGHT WAS IMPORTANT IN THE SURVEY THAT YOU WILL SEE TOMORROW TO NOT HAVE A FAMILY FEEL LIKE THERE GIVING PRIVATE INFORMATION.
SWISSIE THIS IS AN OPTIONAL NOT TIED SPECIFICALLY TO YOUR STUDENT BEING USED FOR PLANNING PURPOSES.
THE ACPS EXPRESS INSIDER PUTS OUT VACCINATION INFORMATION EVERY WEEK.
WE WERE REALLY CLOSELY WITH BASE TO MAKE SURE PAIRS CAN HAVE THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER MEASURES.
WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN IDENTIFYING SOME DATES TO DO SOME MORE TOWN HALLS, WHERE HE GO TO THE SCHOOLS AND SEE IF WE CAN HAVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, PARENTS JOIN US WHERE WE CAN ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINES.
SO, IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, WHAT HAS BEEN THE DELAY IN DOING 8 THAT? WE'RE LOOKING AT, WHAT IS THE SUCCESS OF EXPANDING INTO SPECIFIC SCHOOLS ON AFTERNOONS AND ON WEEKENDS.
>>> ALSO, WE'VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF DECISION-MAKING ON DO WE NEED AN ADULT WITH THE STUDENT WHEN THEY ARE IN SCHOOL, HOW WOULD WE WORK THAT, WITH DEBT LIMIT A FAMILY WHO HAD TO WORK ALL DAY? THOSE TYPES OF VARIABLES.
SO HOPEFULLY WE'RE DOING IT BY CONTRAST, ABLE TO GET SOME QUICK TURNAROUND ON SURVEY DATA.
IF THE INTEREST IS HIGH, I KNOW THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS READY TO DEPLOY.
WE PUT A LOT OF TIME AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF THE SECONDARY STUDENTS AND I THINK I SHARED THIS NUMBER WITH THE GROUP BEFORE THAT WE HAD 13 KIDS ACROSS THE DIVISION AND ALL OVER SCHOOLS AND WE HAD ONE OR TWO STUDENTS AT EACH OF THE LOCATIONS.
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY DOING SOMETHING THE FAMILIES WANT BEFORE WE DEPLOY A MAJOR EFFORT.
I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REALLY TALK ABOUT HOW WE MIGHT UTILIZE OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO REACH OUT TO THOSE FAMILIES.
THEY ALREADY HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBERS, IF POSSIBLE, OF WHO IS VACCINATED, PARTICULARLY OUR M&A SCHOOLS WHERE OUR NUMBERS ARE LOW.
AND GET AN IDEA OF OUR FAMILIES AND WHAT RESOURCES THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO PROVIDE THAT THEM.
>>> YOU RELATED ABLE - HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD THERE, AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE EXACT RATES AND WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO IT.
EVEN WITHIN SECONDARY NUMBERS WHERE WE KNOW THE PERCENT IS SO HIGH, MEMBERS ARE CHOOSING TO - UPDATE THE RECOGNITION STATUS, AND NOW WE ARE GETTING ELEMENTARY, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO, SO WE ARE ABLE TO DRAW SOME CONCLUSIONS FROM THE 12 EARNUP DATA THAT THE CITY DOES COLLECT FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
BUT IF WE ARE ABLE TO IN THIS PLAN, THE DIRECTORY INFORMATION PROVIDES THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT THEY CAN THEN CROSS REFERENCE, AND THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US WITHOUT DISCLOSING ANY MEDICAL INFORMATION, THEY WILL JUST GIVE US A NUMBER, A PERCENTAGE BY SCHOOL.
AND THEN THAT, TOGETHER WITH THE SURVEY, AS I SAID, WE CAN DO, BE EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE SAYING OR, MORE OUTREACH.
WE USE OUR ANCESTRY BUT THEN WE WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION TO HOW WE CAN GET OUT TO PARENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS TO DO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
>>> OKAY, I HAVE DR. BEER AND THEN DR. REESE.
>>> THANK YOU, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, DR. CRAWFORD.
IT FEELS KIND OF BIG, IT IS FOR ME, LIKE MAYBE A CROSS WAS IN THE PANDEMIC AND LORI COME FROM.
I KNOW FOR SOME IN OUR COMMITTEE IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE IT'S TOO SOON, FOR OTHERS IT MIGHT FEEL NOT SOON ENOUGH.
WE HAVE A VARIETY OF OPINIONS IN OUR COMMITTEE ABOUT MITIGATION MEASURES AND THE BEST WAY TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE IN SCHOOLS.
AND YOU'VE BEEN HEARING FROM THEN OVER MANY WEEKS NOW.
[00:15:03]
I KNOW THIS PRESENTATION BEFORE US REFLECTS SOME DECISION-MAKING AND SOME THOUGHTS AS TO WHY WE ARE GOING THIS ROUTE.THERE ARE DISTRICTS WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE DECISION, WHO HAVE CHOSEN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, PATHS OR WAY TO APPROACH THIS, SO I WOULD JUST LOVE SOME INSIGHT INTO YOUR CONVERSATIONS AND THINKING BEHIND HOW WE DECIDED ON THIS RIGHT NOW.
>>> WITH RESPECT TO THE RECOMMENDATION?
SO MOVE INTO RECOMMENDED MASK WEARING, NOT REQUIRING A FORMAL OPT OUT PROCESS, OR OPT IN.
I GUESS THAT COULD BE AN OPTION TWO.
I WOULD JUST LOVE SOME OF WHAT YOUR INTERNAL CONVERSATIONS WERE AND WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS WERE BEHIND THOSE.
>>> NUMBER ONE, THE RECORDATION IS IN LINE WITH WHAT THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS PUT FORWARD.
IT'S ALSO ALLOW SOME OF THE CDC.
ALTHOUGH IT IS A LOWER BAR AS WE KNOW THEM AT THE CDC HAS RIGHT NOW, AND THEY RECOMMEND UNIVERSAL MASKING ACROSS THE BOARD.
>>> SO LOOKING FOR TALKING TO OUR PARTNERS AND WANTING TO RECOGNIZE THE DECREASING NUMBER OBVIOUSLY, ALSO THE SENATE BILL THAT HAS PASSED, WE HEAR FROM OUR FAMILIES, AS YOU SAID, ON SIDES.
SO WE RECOGNIZE IT IS TIME OF GREAT ANXIETY AND STRIFE, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE TRYING TO REALLY PUSH THAT WE ARE COMMITTEE, AND IT'S OKAY TO DISAGREE, BUT WE NEED TO DO SO RESPECTFULLY IN THE SCHOOL.
>>> WITH RESPECT TO THE PROCESS OF MASK WEARING IN A FORMAL OPT IN AND OPT OUT, WHEN WE REVIEWED THE BILL FOR IT DID NOT SEEM TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY THERE SINCE IT EXPLICITLY STATES FAMILIES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE, AND THE BOARD IS AWARE EVEN HISTORICALLY WITH THE MAC EXEMPTION WE DID ASK FOR EXCEPTION, DID ASK TO SPEAK TO THE DOCTOR.
ASKED FOR VERY SPECIFIC INFORMATION.
IT ALSO SAYS WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO INQUIRE INTO EDUCATION STATUS.
CERTAINLY RETALIATION, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT AND DID HAVE INTENSIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT HIS AND OPT OUT SYSTEM APPROPRIATE, I THINK IT COMES BACK TO ME OF, HOW DO WE SEE THAT ACTOR PLAYING OUT IN THE CLASSROOM?
>>> SO IF I'M THE TEACHER, PUTTING MY TEACHER HAT BACK ON, AND IN MY THINKING ATTENDANCE AND THEN CROSS-REFERENCING A LIST? AND WHOSE RESPONSE WAS FOR MONITORING THAT PIECE? THE GREATER CONCERN, AND I HAVE HEARD FROM STAFF MEMBERS ABOUT THEM BEING THE MASK POLICE.
AND THAT DRAWING - THIS WAS EVEN IN OUR SLT FROM LAST WEEK - A FELLOW LEADER SAID, "WE WANT OUR PRINCIPLES TO BE ABLE TO BE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS, WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS O EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC NEEDS CLOSE TO AND WE HAVE CONCERNS WITH HOW WOULD WE BE GETTING THE INFORMATION OF WHO OPTED OUT VERSUS WHO DIDN'T TO OUR TEACHERS AND OUR PRINCIPLES.
AND WAS THERE GOING TO BE FIDELITY OF THAT SYSTEM SHORT OF HAVING A CLEAR MUNICATION STRUCTURE? AND.
CLEARLY THE BILL STATES, YOU KNOW, THERE CAN BE NO RETALIATION, DISCIPLINE, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
AGAIN, I READ IT PROFESSIONALLY AS NO INQUIRY INTO THAT BAR WE RESPECT THE DECISION THAT THE PARENTS MAKE.
AND I FELT LIKE AN OPT IN WOULD BE A CHALLENGE FOR OUR SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT.
AND IF WE WEREN'T GOING TO DO IT WELL, THEN, YOU KNOW, DO WE NEED TO HAVE OUR FRIENDS GO TO ADDITIONAL LENGTH TO TELL US THEY WANT TO OPT OUT IF WE FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR US TO DO? THAT WAS A REALLY LONG ANSWER.
I APPRECIATE THE DETAIL, THANK YOU.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK SOME OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD WAS EFFECTIVE, WHAT OUTCOME ARE WE SEEKING? LIKE IN REGARDS TO HAVING AN OPT IN OR OPT OUT.
PEOPLE COULD PERCEIVE THAT WE ARE DOING THIS IN A RETALIATORY WAY.
MANQUE WE ARE TO MAKE THIS DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT FOLLOWING WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
BUT ESPECIALLY WITH THE FACT THAT WE WERE IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR.
AND WE JUST HAVE TO BE VERY MESSAGES TO OUR COMMITTEE IN THAT WAY.
WE SERVE ALL OUR STUDENTS, AND I SAID THAT FROM THE BEGINNING, REGARDLESS OF WHAT OUR PERSONAL VIEWS ARE, OUR JOB IS TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE.
AND I THINK THAT IS REALLY THE POINT OF VIEW THAT WE WERE DOING INTERNALLY, AND TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL AND NOT WHAT THEY PERSONALLY FELT OR THOUGHT.
WHICH IS EVEN HARD FOR US, US SITTING ON THE TABLE AND HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
BUT IT DEFINITELY IS, I BELIEVE AND STAND BY THIS, THAT IT IS THE RIGHT WAY FOR US TO GO AS AN ORGANIZATION, INTERNET AND THOSE ADDITIONAL LAYERS.
>>> AND THEN TO THINK OF OUR STAFF AND DR. CRAWFORD SAID, OUR STAFF HAS LITERALLY BEEN STRESSED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS NOW, ALMOST A FULL TWO YEARS IN MARCH, WITH SO MANY ADDITIONAL POSSIBILITIES THAT PEOPLE, IT'S KIND OF LIKE YOU HAD A POINT OF HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU DO? HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU ASK?
[00:20:01]
AND SOMETIMES IT SOUNDS LIKE A LITTLE ASKED, WHICH I AM GOING TO DO A LITTLE ASKED HIM IF WE ARE GOING TO GET A BIG BANG FOR OUR BUCK, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BUCK IS OUT OF IT.YOU KNOW, IF I SOME SORT OF CARE THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO GET TO X, THIS IS WHAT WE DO RIGHT NOW, I CERTAINLY WOULD RECOMMEND THAT TO THE BOARD.
BUT I JUST DON'T SEE THAT BEING SOMETHING POSITIVE THAT COMES OUT OF IT.
THANKS FOR WALKING US THROUGH THAT DECISION-MAKING.
1 ARE TRYING TO BE MINDFUL OF THE COMMITTEE AND DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON THIS MATTER.
AND ALSO, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CLSS THAT WE ARE DOING WITH THE KIDS.
I GUESS I WANT TO UNDERSTAND, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP US LIKE UNDERSTAND WHAT FAMILIES CAN EXPECT ON TUESDAY, ON MARCH 1ST.
I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT IS ON PEOPLES MIND, IS, YOU KNOW, FOR STUDENTS WHO COME WITHOUT A MASS, IS IT -DASH THERE IS GOING TO BE NOTHING THAT IS DONE OR SAID, AND PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE ASKED TO SEND A NOTE IN WITH THEIR CHILD OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
SO JUST KIND OF UNDERSTANDING.
AND THEN ALSO, BECAUSE IT SEEMS KIND OF LIKE, IF THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC REQUEST OF THE.
THEN IT IS ALSO BEING UP TO THE STUDENTS IN SOME WAYS.
I MEAN, UNLESS THEIR PARENTS ARE REALLY GIVING THEM CLEAR DIRECTIONS ON TUESDAY.
AND THEN JUST WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF REMOVING THE MASS MANDATE.
IT SEEMS LIKE WITH CONTACT TRACING FOR EXAMPLE, THE DEFINITION OF A CLOSE CONTACT CHANGES IF YOU ARE WEARING A MASK OR YOU'RE NOT.
ARE WE GOING TO DO ANY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR U MY STUDENTS? HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANDLE THAT? MAYBE WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE APPLICATIONS AND WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL ON TUESDAY.
WELL, IN FULL TRANSPARENCY, OUR PRINCIPLES ARE THE SAME 15 PRESENTATION THAT YOU ALL DID.
WE TALKED THROUGH AND GOT THEIR QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE ONGOING OBVIOUSLY COMMUNICATION WITH THEM, BUT I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY SEE SOMETHING BEFORE WE PRESENT IT TO YOU ALL, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO IMPLEMENT.
SO WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
EVERYBODY'S GOAL IS TO HAVE MARCH 1ST BE SEAMLESS.
AND IF A STUDENT IS NOT WEARING THEM OUT, IT IS NOT ABOUT CALLING A STUDENT OUT.
IF THERE IS, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY -DASH YOU NEED A MASK, AND IF THE ANSWER IS, THOUGH, I DON'T WANT TO WEAR IT, THAT'S OKAY.
THE SEA ARE APPROPRIATE, ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL, SO WE ARE ABLE TO GET INTO CONVERSATIONS AND TALK REALISTICALLY AT EACH OF THOSE LEVELS IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
SO HOPEFULLY MARCH 1ST, AND THAT INCLUDES GETTING ON THE BUS.
SO IS BEING TRANSPARENT WITH OUR EMPLOYEES SO THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
SORT OF WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T ASK A CHILD TO REQUIRED TO PUT ON.
THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'VE BEEN.
SO MAKING SURE EVERYONE IS AWARE OF THAT.
>>> THE APPLICATIONS FOR CONTACT TRACING, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
THERE IS A K-12 EXCEPTION, AND THE CDC DEFINITION OF CLOSE CONTACT THAT APPLIES FOR US, FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE MATCHED.
THAT DEFINITION REFERS TO 3 FEET, AND THIS WILL TAKE UP TO 6 FEET.
IF WE ARE TALK ABOUT STUDENTS WHICH EXPANDS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO MAY BE CLOSE CONTACT.
ALSO, USING GRADE SIX THROUGH TEN TESTING AS AN EXAMPLE AS WELL.
WHEN YOU RETURN ON DAYS SIX THROUGH TEN, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK.
AND THAT IS SOME OF THE DBH LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS TESTS TO STAY.
IF YOU ARE TESTING TO STAY IN YOUR FAMILY HAS YOU IN SCHOOL, YOU ARE AGREEING AS PART OF THAT CONSENT TO WEAR YOUR MASK WITH FIDELITY.
THOSE NUMBERS ARE SMALLER, SO WE DO FEEL THEY ARE MANAGEABLE ABOUT, OKAY, JULIE IS COMING BACK TO MONDAY, SEVEN, SHE WILL NEED TO WEAR THE MASK FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
>>> AND ALSO, WITH THE PARENTS GIVING US CONSENT TO DO THOSE TYPE OF TESTS, THEY ARE AWARE OF IT TOO SO IT IS A DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN JULIE JUST GETTING ON THE BUS AND BEING QUESTIONED REPEATEDLY ABOUT WEARING HER MASK.
SO THERE DEFINITELY APPLICATION AND WE NEED TO UPDATE OUR GUIDELINES.
AND WITH PUBLIC COMMUNICATION, WE ARE READY, BASED ON ONE OF THE BOARD DECIDES -- BUT CONTACT TRACING, THAT IS EXPAND SO WE MAY HAVE MORE STUDENTS WERE IMPACTED BY THAT AND OUR TESTING PROGRAM ALSO.
THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT COME TO MIND RIGHT AWAY.
WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING? WE HEARD FROM FAMILIES WHO ARE EITHER IMMUNO COMPROMISE WITH OUR STUDENTS.
SO THIS IS WHERE EVERY STUDENT -- WELL, NOT EVERY 17 STUDENT, BUT MOST
[00:25:02]
STUDENTS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH ISSUES HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED HEALTHCARE PLANS.SO THAT COMMISSION HAVE BEEN GOING WITH OUR SCHOOL HEALTH STAFF, WITH OUR PRINCIPLES.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF WHO IN YOUR SCHOOL HAS ASTHMA, HAS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE IMPACTS YOUR IMMUNITY.
SO WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES, NOT JUST WITH THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH, AS I SAID, BUT ALSO THE ANXIETY THAT RELATES TO WORK.
STUDENTS ACTIVELY IN THERAPY AND PARENTS WHO ARE ACTIVELY IN THERAPY THAT COMPROMISES IMMUNITY.
SO WE WANT TO REMIND OUR FAMILIES THAT SUPPORTS ARE THERE.
WE DO HAVE ARE SST FOLKS WHO ARE ABLE TO SORT OF SUPPORT THAT.
MENTAL HEALTH, THAT WILL BE AN INCREDIBLY ANXIETY-PRODUCING TIME, TO THINK I'M GOING TO GO -- AND WE HAVE HEARD THIS FROM KID BEFORE.
WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WHEN WE ARE TO HYDRATE.
PERMISSION TO MAKE A DECISION IF YOU HAD IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR BURNABLE FAMILY MEMBER IN THE HOME, YOU TAKE THAT RISK GOING TO SCHOOL, OR DO YOU STAY VIRTUAL.
SO WE DO HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH THAT.
BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPTIONS TOO.
WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH PRINCIPLES -- I WILL WRAP IT UP -- BUT AT LUNCH, AS YOU SAID.
YOU KNOW, CAN WE PUT SOME SIGNAGE UP.
>>> IF YOU ARE RETURNING FROM DAY SIX TO TEN, PLEASE DON'T SIT 18 AT THIS TABLE.
YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT VIOLATING HIPAA FOR ANYONE.
AND IF MY GRANDMOTHER WAS IN THE HOUSE, I COULD SIT THERE WAS SOME DEGREE OF ASSURANCE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND ME MASKLESS EATING MIGHT NOT -- MIGHT NOW BE AT THE TABLE WITH B.
SO WE CAN'T ASSURE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAND THERE WITH A CHECKLIST.
WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT TO STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT RESPECTS EVERYBODY'S PRIVACY.
BUT THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MEASURES.
PLEASE EXCUSE ME, I JUST WANTED TO ADD ONE THING.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO POINT OUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BILL THE PACIFIC STATEMENT IT TALKS ABOUT NO STUDENT SHALL SUFFER AN ADVERSE DOES BINARY OR ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT OF THIS PARENTAL ELECTION.
AND THAT REALLY IS UP TO INTERPRETATION BASED ON WHO IS RECEIVING THAT WERE READING THAT.
PARENTS COULD FEEL THAT THEIR CHILD IS BEING PENALIZED IN A SENSE BECAUSE YOU'RE SAYING YOU NEED TO SIT HERE, OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE OUT OF THIS CLASSROOM, OR YOU CAN'T.
AND I JUST THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH HOW WE REACT AND RESPOND.
>>> PRIOR TO THIS BILL, I MEAN, WE HAD A BILL IN PLACE TO REQUIRE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT SO WE CAN PROVIDE FIVE DAYS OF INSTRUCTION IN OUR CLASSROOMS INCLUDING HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATION.
SO WE HAD A REASON WE WERE SAYING, YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR 19 MASK ON.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MEDICAL YOU'RE GOING TO BE OUT OF THIS CLASSROOM, AND THAT TYPE OF THING.
>>> RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A BILL TO RAISE SUPPORT WHILE WE ARE SENDING SOMEBODY OUT OF THE ROOM OR OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, OR OUT OF ANY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS.
I THINK THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENTS THAT CHANGES KIND OF OUR RESPONSE IN OUR REACTION.
I MEAN, IT DOES FEEL A LITTLE LIKE, WELL, WE WENT FROM ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM TO ANOTHER IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
BUT WE'VE BEEN IN THIS PANDEMIC, AND THINGS HAD TO PIVOT MANY OTHER TIMES.
OMICRON CAME A LITTLE OVER A FEW MONTHS AGO, SO I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT PIVOTING.
SO I JUST THINK THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE PERIODS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WALK THROUGH.
WE ALWAYS GO TO THE OCCASION, I BELIEVE, AS THE SCHOOL DIVISION, AND WE ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE LAW.
AND I'M ALWAYS GOOD TO SUPPORT THE BOARD AND REQUEST AND RECOMMEND FOR THE BOARD TO DO THAT.
THIS IS A GOOD OVERVIEW BUT ONE CLARIFICATION, YOU USED THE EXAMPLE STUDENTS GETTING ON THE BUS AND OUT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR FOREVER LISTING THE STUDENTS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK IN THE BUS BECAUSE THIS FEDERAL LEGISLATION.
>>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT PS OR IS THAT NOT TRUE?
>>> MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IS NOT ACCURATE, THAT OUR CLASSES ARE NOT FEDERAL CAPITATION, AND THEREFORE AS OF MARCH 1S -- DIDN'T CAN GO MASTERY.
>>> SO PARENTS COULD STILL OPT OUT?
>>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
WHAT TYPE -- I HEAR YOU TALKED ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP TEAM BUT ONE OF ORBIT AND DISCUSSION HAVE YOU HAD WITH OTHER STAFF AND TEACHERS, PARTICULARLY THE EIA IN TERMS OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT AND THOUGHTS ON THIS DECISION? AND THEN, ALSO, HAVE WE THOUGHT ABOUT CREATING SOME SORT OF MATRIX IN TERMS OF WHAT THE OFFRAMP IS FOR WHEN MASKS -- WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND MACERATION BECAUSE WE ARE AT A HIGH COMMISSION, BUT ONCE WE ARE THAT MODERATE TRANSMISSION OR TRANSMISSION PROVIDING SOME GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE GOING TO CHOOSE TO KEEP MAX WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
[00:30:01]
BUT ONCE WE GET TO THAT LOWER LEVEL, WE MIGHT SAY AS A DIVISION THAT YOU KNOW THIS IS OKAY, WE ARE AT A LOWER LEVEL RIGHT NOW.>>> SO, WE TALKED TO DIFFERENT GROUPS.
RETURNS TO THE EA EVERY MONTH, SO WE HAD CONVERSATIONS.
THIS MASK TRANSITION RIGHT HE DID NOT COME UP AT THE LAST MEETING.
LIKE I SAID, IT DOESN'T IMPACT EMPLOYEES.
AS HARD AS WAS IN FRONT OF YOU, IT DOESN'T IMPACT WHEN SMEARING.
HISTORICALLY, I KNOW WE HAD DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MANY GETTING MEASURES WITH THEM YOUNGER THE LAST TIME THAT WAS NOT A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM TO TALK ABOUT.
WE TALK TO FAMILIES OBVIOUSLY EVERY DAY SO I FEEL LIKE OUR PRINCIPLES FIELD QUESTIONS, I FEEL THE QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE AN ONGOING CONVERSATION FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS WELL.
WE HAVE OUR WEEKLY, AT LEAST WEEKLY CONVERSATION WITH THE ALEXANDER HEALTH DEPARTMENT BRING SOME IDEAS AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE.
>>> WE DID TALK EXACTLY ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID, WITH THE OFFRAMP BEING.
AND IN FULL TRANSPARENCY FROM A-CO A BIT MORE SENSE IF WE ARE TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE CHILD WHERE IN THE MODERATE RANGE, OR WE ARE IN THE LOCAL THAT'S WHY WE CAN DO THIS.
NET FLOW WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASIER OFFRAMP THAN WE ARE BE ON MARCH 1ST.
IT IS NOT LIKELY WE ARE GOING TO SEE A JUMP THAT LOW IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
BUT, YES, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT WHAT ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO SHARE WITH FAMILIES AND STUDENTS? AND IN THAT CONVERSATION WE FELT THE BEST WAY HONESTLY WAS TO SEAL LESSONS.
WE HAVE KIDS IN FRONT OF US, WE CAN TALK HONESTLY, WE CAN PROBLEM SOLVE, WE CAN TALK ABOUT RESPECTING ONE ANOTHER'S DECISIONS.
ALSO, JUST GOING BACK TO -- THANK YOU FOR THAT.
JUST GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION THAT DOCTOR REESE ASKED INTERNS OUT YOUR CUSTOMERS, OUR STUDENTS ARE IN YOUR COMPROMISE OR HAVE IEPS AND PARENTS ARE LEGITIMATELY CONCERNED BASED ON ANY OF THEIR OWN PROBABILITY 22 THAT SOME OF THEIR CHILDREN MAY HAVE ABOUT THE CHILD IN THE CLASSROOM POTENTIALLY SITTING NEXT TO CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE A MASK ON.
DUE TO CONNECT WITH TEACHERS IN TERMS OF SEATING ARRANGEMENTS? DO WE HAVE ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS IN THOSE SITUATIONS?
>>> WELL, I CAN SAY SINCE THE START, AND PARTICULARLY THIS YEAR WHEN EVERYBODY WAS BACK ON THE SCHOOLS HAD DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS, LIKE AT LUNCH ENDINGS OF A BUG SO LIKE BEFORE, IF YOU REQUEST A LUNCH ACCOMMODATION, AND I'LL USE UW PHYSICALLY, THEY HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO EAT LUNCH.
THE HIGH SCHOOL HAS WORKED OUT DIFFERENT PLACES.
I FEEL LIKE OUR STUDENTS ARE VERY WELL KNOWN BY OUR PRINCIPLES AND OUR FAMILIES WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, I'LL SAY THEY'VE BEEN REACHING OUT THROUGH THIS WHOLE TIME.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE, LIKE I SAID, IT IS SCARY.
AND ANY CHANGE OF MANY GETTING MEASURES, WHETHER IN RESPONSE TO SENATE BILL OR JUST WHERE WE ARE, I THINK EVERYBODY THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS A STROMA OF YOU THINK YOU ARE IN ONE PLACE AND THEN WE STARTED, AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS.
SO WE'VE BEEN HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH FAMILIES ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO FOR ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS.
>>> WE HAVE SAID TO PEOPLE, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A SIDE OF THE ROOM THAT WAYS MASKS AND A SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT DOESN'T? THAT'S NOT OUR BEST PRACTICE EITHER.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THIS NOT TYPE OF DISCRIMINATORY I BELIEVE BEHAVIOR IF YOU WEAR A MASK AND YOU HAVE TO SIT HERE, IF YOU DON'T YOU HAVE TO SIT THERE.
IT IS KNOWING YOUR KIDS, KNOWING THOSE HEALTHCARE PLANS WERE WORKING OUT VISUAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT RESPECT THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR FAMILY CONCERNS.
THAT WILL BE MY RESPONSE TO THAT.
>>> OKAY SO I'M NOT SEEING ANY MORE QUESTIONS.
SO I THINK WE DO HAVE TO TAKE SOME FORM OF ACTION THIS EVENING SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY DEVELOPED REGULATIONS TO FIT WITHIN OUR HEALTH POLICY.
SO -- AND JUST TO CLARIFY WITH STAFF, THE RECOMMENDATION REALLY WOULD BE TO RESCIND THE REGULATION THAT WE DEVELOPED THAT IS RELATED TO MASKING BUT ALSO THAT RELEASES G B E-R-ROW CAP/A J C/R.
I AM SUGGESTING THAT IF THAT IS THE CASE WE HAVE A MOTION TO RESCIND THAT REGULATION.
IF IT IS A REGULATION IS ATTACHED TO POLICY G B E.
WITHIN POLICY GBE IS VERY CLEAR ON THE MASK IS RELATED TO REGULATION.
[00:35:05]
SO IF YOU RESCIND THE REGULATION ESSENTIALLY THE -- THAT PORTION OF THE MASKING POLICY TECHNICALLY BECOMES MOOT.BUT WE WOULD NEED TO THEN GO BACK AND JUST TAKE SOME REFERENCES TO MASKING AUTO POLICY GBE.
POLICY GBE IS MUCH BROADER THAN MASKING SO WE REAL INFORMATION WE GO THROUGH IT WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB TO KEEP THE PARTS OF IT THAT WE WANT TO KEEP AND THEN THOSE THAT WE DON'T.
SO I THINK, IF -DASH YOU HAVE 24 YOUR HAND UP? OKAY, SO THE QUESTION WILL BE, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I WOULD NEED A MOTION ON THE TEAM TO RESCIND POLICY GBE R -DASH GCR.
>>> ALL RIGHT, SO, I HAVE MR. HARRIS WHO SECONDS, MR. BAILEY'S MOTION.
OKAY, MR. -- [INAUDIBLE] AND THEN MS. BOOTH.
>>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS APPROACH.
THAT POLICY IS A POLICY OF THE GROUP WAYS MASKS, CORRECT? IS THERE A WAY -- I'M JUST CONCERNED.
ME SAY I'M CONCERNED IF YOU SEND A POLICY TO RESCIND THE POLICY IT SENDS A SIGNAL THAT WE ARE NOT REQUIRED MASKS ANYMORE.
I THINK IF WE DO THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR ON THE MESSAGING THAT WE ARE SENDING OUT, AND HOW WE ARE NOT DOING THIS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT YOU TO WEAR A MASK ANYMORE, WE ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BECAUSE YOU WANT TO ABIDE BY THE LAW.
SO, YEAH, SO, HOW CAN WE? WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE ARE WE SENDING OUT TOMORROW TO BE ABLE TO PUT THIS POLICY OR PUT THIS STEP WITHIN CONTEXT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMITTEE UNDERSTANDS THAT -- THOUGH, WE STILL WANT YOU TO WEAR A MASK.
WE JUST CAN'T ENFORCE IT SO YOU DON'T NEED A REASON NOT TO WEAR A MASK.
BUT WE STILL WANT YOU TO WEAR A MASK.
WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO REQUIRE YOU TO WEAR A MASK.
THAT IS JUST MY ALL POINT OF 25 INQUIRY HERE.
>>> SO, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT TOMORROW WITH THE COMMUNICATION THAT GOES OUT TO OUR FAMILIES, IS A COMMITTEE THAT WE WEAR MASKS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE HIGH TRANSMISSION LEVEL.
WE CAN'T REQUIRE IT BUT WE ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDING TO OUR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PARTICULAR TIME.
THE CDC GUIDELINES, THEY STATE THAT WHEN YOU'RE AT A LOW TO MODERATE LEVEL, THAT MASK CAN BE OPTIONAL IN INDOOR FACILITIES.
BUT WE ARE NOT AT A LOW TO MODERATE LEVEL RIGHT NOW.
SO WE ARE STILL RECOMMENDING FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILIES SOME COMMUNICATION IS GOING OUT, AS WELL AS A LINK TO THE SENATE BILL.
AND INFORMATION REGARDS TO THE CDC GUIDELINES.
WE ALSO WANTED TO REITERATE WITH OUR FAMILIES THE FACT THAT WE STILL HAVE OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATIONS IN PLACE, WHETHER IT IS HANDWASHING, TEMPERATURE SCREENINGS.
WE STILL HAVE OUR VISTA PROGRAM THAT IS STILL GOING TO PLAY.
SO WE ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD WITH ALL THE OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATIONS.
BUT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STRONGLY RECOMMEND HER HIGHLY RECOMMEND I THINK IS A LANGUAGE ARE USED IN THE COMMUNICATION THAT GOES OUT TOMORROW FOR FAMILIES TO CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS DURING THIS HIGH TRANSMISSION TIME.
AND WILL NOW INCLUDE IN OUR ACPS EXPRESS EACH WEEK.
IT IS ALREADY ON OUR DASHBOARD IN OUR CPS EXPRESS EACH WEEK WHERE OUR TRADITION LEVEL IS JUST SO PARENTS ARE AWARE.
YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE HIGH OR IF WE EVER GET TO LOW OR MODERATE, THAT WE ARE IN THAT CASE.
SO THAT'S THE COMMUNICATION IS GOING TO GO OUT TO OUR FAMILIES TOMORROW.
>>> NOTE MS. BURGOS IF I MISSED ANYTHING BECAUSE SHE HAPPENS TO BE HERE TODAY SO IT'S A GOOD THING.
>>> YEAH, NO, JUST ONE COMMENT FOR US AS A BOARD TOO.
IT WAS NOT VERY CLEAR ON WHAT DECISION WE NEEDED TO BE MAKING TONIGHT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- GRANTED, LET ME BACK UP INTO IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION REGARDING MARCH 1.
THAT IS CLEAR, THE LEGISLATION IS IN PLACE AND PARENTS WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR THE CHILDREN NOT TO WEAR A MASK ON MARCH 1.
AND WE HAVE SOME POLICIES IN PLACE ON OUR BOARD WITHIN OUR BOARD POLICIES, THAT WE NEED TO AMEND TO MEET THAT.
>>> HOWEVER, THE DECISION IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE MAKING TONIGHT WAS NOT VERY CLEAR.
AND I THINK THAT IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO DO BUSINESS WITH OUR COMMITTEE, AND I'M
[00:40:03]
HOPING THAT MOVING FORWARD WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY THAT "WE RECOMMEND THAT WE SHOULD RESCIND THIS POLICY", OH, OR SHOULD HAVE A DISCUSSION ON WHETHER TO HAVE PARENTS OUT OF THE POLICY OR OPT IN", AND THAT SHOULD BE THE CONVERSATION IF WE ARE HAVING LOGO SO, IN TERMS OF THE COMPLETELY JUST RESCINDING THIS WHOLE POLICY, WAS THERE A DISCUSSION HERE, AN NEED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS MOTION TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION -- BUT WAS THERE DISCUSSION IN TERMS OF, RATHER THAN RESCINDING THE POUTSMA JUST ADDING ON TO THIS REGULATION TO SAY, PARENTS CAN CHOOSE? ALL THIS STAYS IN PLACE, WE STILL RECOMMEND THAT MR. HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY DURING HIGH TRANS MISSION.AND PARENTS ALSO HAVE THE CHOICE BASED ON THE STATE LEGISLATION TO NOT HAVE THEIR CHILDREN WEAR A MASK.
NOW IN TERMS OF OPT OUT IS A REFORM FOR OPT OUT, A FORM THAT WE HAVE PARENTS GO THROUGH? ARLINGTON HAS AN OPT OUT FROM THAT THEY'RE USING TO SAY OKAY WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO POLICE THIS BUT WE ARE GOING TO AT LEAST HAVE THAT FORMS WE CAN HELP WITH CONTACT TRACING AND HAVE SOME SORT OF DOCUMENTATION? OR IS IT MORE OF A OPT OUT IS A CHOICE, RIGHT? BUT, YOU KNOW, RATHER THAN FULLY JUST THROWING THIS OUT THE DOOR, WAS THERE A CONVERSATION ABOUT JUST AMENDING THIS?
>>> I CAN SPEAK FROM THE STAFF SIDE.
I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE JBER, OUR DISCUSSION WAS THE LEAD INTO THAT IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND THE DIRECTION OR DIRECTIVES RECEIVED THAT THAT WAS A MAJORITY OF THAT INFORMATION? ANY SPECIFIC STATES THAT ACPS WILL REQUIRE EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS TO WEAR PROTECTIVE FACE COVERINGS AND MASS WHILE INSIDE FACILITIES AND VEHICLES TO THIS REGULATION HAD BEEN RESCINDED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
SO BASED ON THE FRAMING OF THAT, THAT IS WHERE OUR DISCUSSION 28 SAID, FOR CLARITY PURPOSES WE BELIEVE THAT THE APPROPRIATE ACTION WOULD BE TO RESCIND THAT.
AND KNOWINGLY NEED TO REVISE YOUR POLICIES, BECAUSE LANGUAGES IN THERE THAT WE NEED TO SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE IN OTHER PLACES.
SO THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD FROM THE STAFF SIDE.
>>> I MISS GREEN FIRST AND THEN DR. RICHE P THANK YOU, MANITOBA AND DR. CRAWFORD OR DR. HUTCHINS, CAN YOU TALK TO -DASH IF WE ARE GOING TO RESCIND THIS POLICY OR IF WE DO RESCIND THIS POLICY, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT ATHLETICS AND BOATING EVENTS AS FAR AS ATTENDANCE IS CONCERNED? -- SPORTING EVENTS AS FAR AS ATTENDANCE IS CONCERNED?
WE BEEN DOING OUR SPORTS PLAN FOR SPRING SPORTS FOR THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS.
LUCKILY WE ARE MOVING TO OUTDOOR SPORTS.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE KNOW WE HAVEN'T BEEN REQUIRE A MASK, SO IT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE DECISION THAT'S MADE TONIGHT FOR THE MASKS OPTIONAL PERSPECTIVE.
AND ALSO, GIVEN THAT WE ARE OUTSIDE AND THERE IS BETTER VENTILATION, ET CETERA, WE WOULD BE MOVING TO LIFT ANY RESTRICTION ON -- I THINK PREVIOUSLY WE HAD FOUR TICKETS PER ATHLETE, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
SO WE HAVE GONE THROUGH TO TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR SPRING PROTOCOL BASED ON WE HELD ONTO SOME OF THAT BASED ON THE RESULTS OF TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION.
AND BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE A LIMITATION AS FAR AS THAT GOES.
>>> THANK YOU PO, IM SORRY, ONE MORE THING: COMMUNICATION WILL 29 GO OUT QUICKLY FAMILIES?
>>> MORE DETAILED COMMUNICATION.
THAT WE FIND TO BE MOST VISIBLE AS THE COACHES OUTREACH, THE NEWSLETTER COMPOSTING TO BE EXPLICIT.
SOMETIMES IT IS LOST WHEN IT IS IN A GENERAL COMMUNICATION TO FAMILIES.
>>> OKAY, SO, AT THIS TIME WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR -DASH OH, I'M SORRY.
I'M SORRY DR. RIEF, I'M SORRY.
THANKS FOR JUST KIND OF WALKING THROUGH DECISION.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM CLEAR TOO BOSTON WE HAVE A POLICY PUNCTURING ATTENTIVENESS LET ME BACK UP PUNCTURING THE PANDEMIC WE HAD TO ADJUST A LOT OF POLICY BECAUSE OF A LOT OF NEW MANAGEMENT PUT IN PLACE.
SO WE HAVE A POLICY GBE THAT'S ABOUT STAFF HEALTH, AND WE ARE NOT RESCINDING THE POLICY ON STAFF HEALTH BUT THERE WAS AN ASSOCIATED REGULATION GBER FEEDBACK ].
>>> WHICH IS IN REGARDS TO WEARING MASKS.
AND SO WE ARE GOING TO BY SENDING GBER THE REGULATION, WHAT I HEARD CHARLES DIXON SAY THAT IS GOING TO BASICALLY SORT OF MAKE NEW THIS SECTION OF GBE THAT
[00:45:08]
REFERS TO WEAR MASKS.SO STAFF, HOWEVER, ARE STILL REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS.
SO OUI-OUI DO NOT HAVE A POLICY THAT IS SPILLING OUT THAT SORT OF REQUIREMENT FOR STAFF? AND THEN MY OTHER QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE.
TRADITIONAL SPOKE ABOUT ARE WE GOING TO UPDATING THE POLICY GBE, SO DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF THAT? THE CIRCULAR THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>>> OKAY, SO, YES, THE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD BE REMOVED FOR IF YOU SEND A POLICY IN ITS TOTAL, YOU HAVE THE GBE, ALSO THE STUDENT HEALTH.
SO WE'LL BE GOING TO YOUR POLICIES TO ESPECIALLY STATE MACS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND NEEDS.
FOR THE STAFF HEALTH, WE WOULD SAY MASS CONTINUED TO BE REQUIRED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR INDUSTRY STANDARDS REQUIRE WITH THEM, BECAUSE THEY DO GIVE -- THERE CURRENTLY BRIDGES THEY REQUIRED FOR ANY UNVACCINATED STAFF.
WE JUST HAVE TO BE HAPPY TO BE IN SENTENTIAL AND HIGH REGARD IS A VACCINATION STATUS.
LOOKING AT THESE POLICIES, I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN TURN AROUND THE CHANGES FAIRLY QUICKLY BECAUSE A LOT OF IT WILL BE DELETING AND THEN JUST CLARIFY THAT IT IS ALSO AIR-CONDITIONED THAT THESE ARE REALLY GETTING MEASURES THAT CONTINUE.
THAT IS ALL SPECIFIED IN THERE.
THAN A GREAT DEAL IS NOT GOING TO BE DELETED, LIKE THE GUIDANCE OF IF YOU HAVE COVID, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU'RE SOME DRAMATIC WITH ANY TYPE OF ILLNESS.
THAT LANGUAGE WILL STAY IN THE POLICY FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD THAT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BILL THAT TALKS ABOUT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER DIVISION OF LAW, ANY RADIATION RULE OR POLICY AND BY SCHOOL BOARD, SCHOOL DIVISION SCHOOL OFFICIAL OR STATE OR LOCAL 31 AUTHORITY.
EVEN IF WE CHANGE THE POLICY, I SAY WOULD INTO ANYTHING TO THE POLICY.
THIS BILL STILL IN EFFECT, WHEN WE DO ANYTHING TO POLICY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN PLACE OR NOT.
I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE THIS BILL WAS WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT REALLY GIVES NO WIGGLE ROOM AND THERE IS NO GRAY.
THAT IS WHY FOR US HAVING A CONVERSATION BEHIND, YOU KNOW, CLOSE DOORS, IS REALLY EASY WHEN YOU READ THROUGH THIS BILL, IT GIVES YOU -- YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING THAT YOU KEN OF MIKE'S A MATE WHAT WE CANNOT DO IT THIS WAY? THERE IS SOMETHING IN THIS BILL THAT PRETTY MUCH DOESN'T ALLOW US TO DO ANYTHING CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, OR DIFFERENT PS AND JUST TO ADD IN TERMS OF TIMELINE, WE DO HAVE SOME POST SUPPORT COMING ALONG VERY SOON.
AND WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WE CAN BE ALIGNED EVEN WITH, YOU KNOW, WHAT STATE LAW SAYS.
SO YOU KNOW THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT PERSON GIVE US A QUICK TURNAROUND ON.
BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE VERY QUICK.
MR. BAILEY P THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
>>> AS IT RELATES TO THE QUESTIONS THAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE ASKING APPEAR, ESPECIALLY HIS FIRST QUESTION, I AGREE WITH YOU, I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES APPEAR, BUT I ALSO APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION DR. HUTCHINS.
BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD CAVEAT TO THAT IS RAISED TO OUR 32 STAFF/OUR TEACHERS, JUST MAKING SURE THEY KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT THEM, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS.
>>> IS WHATEVER THE STATE HAS WRITTEN, WHATEVER THE STATE OF PUT OUT, YES, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE COMPLIED.
BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, THE SLIGHT CHANGE IS IN THERE.
I THINK BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD FROM A FEW -- SOME TEACHERS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMEWHAT WORRIED ABOUT IT.
AND LIKE I HAVE EXPLAINED TO THEM, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF WIGGLE ROOM WITH IT.
BUT I THINK IT DOES ADD SOME VALUE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING AND WE ARE DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE KIDS WALKING IN, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE THEIR MAXON, A ROOM FULL OF KIDS WITH NO MASKS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THEM ARE PROBABLY GOING TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.
SO I JUST THINK WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE TO SUPPORT, SO THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE SUPPORTING THEM.
BUT I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID.
[00:50:01]
AND I WILL WRAP IT UP WITH ONE LAST COMMENT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT AND PUTTING THE FIELD LESSON INTO PLAY WITH THIS.
BECAUSE MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS HOW PEOPLE TREAT EACH OTHER.
AND WE ALL KNOW AS INDICATORS THAT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION IN HOW YOU WANT THE STUDENTS TO BEHAVE BECAUSE WE HAVE KIDS COMING FROM FAMILIES WHO ARE VERY VOCAL AND WE HAVE TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS THAT WHEN WE ARE IN OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER, WE RESPECT EACH OTHER'S DIFFERENCES.
THIS IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO, YOU KNOW, BELITTLE ANYONE OR TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF WHATEVER ACTION THEIR FAMILY CHOOSES TO MAKE.
AND SO, FOR ME, THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EMPHASIS ON THAT, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO HELP US ALL MOVE ON.
SO I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT AND SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>>> SO WITH THAT I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR A VOTE.
>>> OKAY, SO, THE MOTION IN THE TABLE IS TO RESCIND REGULATION GBER-R/JCR, WHICH MANDATES USE OF PROTECTIVE FACE COVERINGS ARE MASKS TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.
THIS ALSO -- ON ESB, IT IS POSTED THERE IN YELLOW.
-- ON ESB IS POSTED THERE IN YELLOW.
>>> SO THE MOTION CARRIED AND WITH THAT THE ONLY THING I NEED IS A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>>> OKAY, I HAVE BY SARAH GREENE WHO SECONDS THE DOCTORS MOTION AND I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
>>> OKAY, WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 7 27 AND WE ARE MOVING UPSTAIRS.
THANKS, EVERYONE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.