Members of the Superior Board of Education met Monday evening in regular session at the high school library. Six members of the board, two principals, the superintendent, a secretary and a newspaper representative press filled the room - each person at their own table, which had been sanitized before the meeting. A large container of hand sanitizer and another of disinfectant solution was available just inside the library entrance.
The most discussed decision of the evening was whether or not to require students to wear masks when school starts. All sorts of questions were asked. It seemed obvious one does not play most band instruments with a mask. Neither do they seem to work well for physical education classes, or eating in the cafeteria. What about on the playground? After school activities?
To date there have been only three confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nuckolls County. In addition, the wearing of masks seems hard to enforce.
With aid from the state and the Superior 3000 Foundation, the district will start school with an ample supply of hand sanitizer (55 gallons on hand and more to come this week), infrared thermometers, cleaning and sanitizing supplies and five cloth masks for each student.
The board directed Superintendent Kobza to encourage masks, but not require. However, mask requirements could change before school starts based on the COVID-19 cases within the district or community spread.
Supt. Kobza reviewed planned changes related to all parts of the school day. A sampling of the changes designed to protect students and staff follows:
All instructors will wear masks while assisting students. They can unmask when doing presentations from the front of the classrooms so expressions can be seen and they are easier to understand.
Lower elementary students will eat both breakfast and lunch in their classroom.
Recess will focus on field events. Very little playground equipment will be used because it is hard to sanitize.
Each student’s temperature will be taken twice a day. If it is 100.4 degrees F., they will be separated from other students and further evaluated.
Elementary students will be kept with their class throughout the day including recess time.
All high touch areas will be sanitized multiple times each day.
There will not be a salad bar when school starts. Plastic silverware will be handed to students at meal time. Trays will be used and the cooks will dip up the food and pass the tray to a student. The details go on and on. They relate to activities, custodial services transportation, instruction, personnel, special education and food service. Most of the changes focus on ways to encourage social distancing and preventing a school wide spread if there is a case of COVID-19.
Supt. Kobza reviewed “Considerations for Developing Re-opening Plans for Nebraska Schools” compiled by NRCSA (Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association). Guidelines vary for low spread, minimal to moderate spread and substantial spread of COVID-19.
Families planning to homeschool were to register with the state by Wednesday this week. They do not count toward the district enrollment.
Families with high risk individuals may choose virtual learning. However, the students will not be allowed to participate in any on-site school activities. Supt. Kobza said, “We cannot expect our teachers to prepare both on site lessons and virtual lessons.”
Families who choose virtual learning should expect their children to complete six hours of intense study each day. They will be monitored for progress and will not advance to the next grade level if the work is not complete. Progress may be monitored by a classroom teacher or the ESU staff.
In other business, the board approved June expenditures from the general fund in the amount of $552,830.43. In addition they continued a long term agreement with the City of Superior for transportations fuel management for bulk purchasing and approved using local substitute certificates.
Multiple policy changes were accepted based on legal advice. The only new policy adopted was 6033- restraint and seclusion of students. The policy manual is available on-line on the school web site.
The elementary, secondary and activity handbooks were approved. A new paragraph has been added to the parental signature page.
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