November 9, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Special Meeting

Discussion:  Pastor Parks was not available.  Mr.Wells gave the invocation.

Discussion:  Changing the end of semester date to balance the number of education days in the semesters.
We use the guidelines set by the state boards of education and of health.  We asked them on recent conference call if they would consider shortening the distance (6ft) or time (10-14 days) and they replied emphaticaly, "NO".  Looking at the dashboard, our positive cases is less than half of a percent of total members.  
You have until December 4, to change learning pathways.  If the county goes red, we will go to the Continuous Learning Plan.  There will be a 48 hour period to set-up to go live.  
Our students and teachers are doing an amazing job remaining masked.
Mr. Rowe asked about OSSAA events - we are allowing all students to opt in for a limited time to be in a room in the building sequestered so as to hopefully not need to be quarantined and not miss events.  How are we doing on guest teacher numbers?  We are so short.  We plea for guest teachers in every forum.
Mr. Wells asked if a student is quarantined due to a Friday night ball game, when can he/she return?  10 or 14 24-hour periods.  10 days for positive or 14 days for exposure.
Mrs. Cannon asked are teachers in classroom teaching differently for kids quarantined?  No - the work goes into the Learning Management System and they have the assignments.  Teachers are now posting videos that briefly synopsize the lesson.   Teachers are enthusiastic about staying in school, do we have an atmosphere that the teachers who don't feel that way can express themselves?  Teachers do not seem to have ANY problem expressing themselves.

Discussion:  Mr. Putnam said auditing during a pandemic is also a nightmare.  This is the first audit and report we have been able to complete this year.  This year we have a $3,294,000. reduction in fund balance.  No recommendations.  Keep up the good work.
Mr. Wells asked about page 5 of the report for the benefit of newer members, please explain the difference between normal fiscal audits -vs- school district audits.  I'd like to second Mr. Putnam's comment that the business office staff are doing an outstanding job.

Discussion:  Mr. Rowe:  I applaud the staff, thank you for all you do - staff and volunteers.  OSSAA band competition last week and was blessed to hear some great bands.  Great news that we made the playoffs and will play Mustang this Friday.  As a teacher I can say, we are all in this for the kids and it is worth it.
Ms. Hawthorne:  I'd like to congratulate the football team.  I'd like to also thank staff and volunteers.
Mr. Wells:  Enjoyed watching the football team make playoffs.  It can't be said too much, thank you for all you do teachers, staff, students, you're doing great!  I've said it before and I'd like to say it again, people need to be wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Mr. Cunningham:  Recognition of excellence seems to be a very important thing for us as a board - I want to say congratulations to Nichole Stevens, she has been in FFA since 8th grade and has researched a better way to feed cattle, in the COVID era, she has found a way to feed cattle more effectively.  She was one of 4 to win an award out of 7000 entrants.  That is very impressive. 
Mrs. Cannon:  I've heard from a lot of parents and I want every parent to know how much I appreciate your contact.  I empathize, but it is what we have to do with what we have given to us.  I feel our district is taking every precaution we have available to us.  To our teachers, principals, administration, you're all having to do so much more than normal - thank you.   

Discussion:  There were no requests to speak to the board.

Discussion:  There is no new business.

Discussion:  Motion to adjourn was made at 6:52p.m.