Minutes - November 18, 2020
Certified Staff Advisory Meeting
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
The following individuals were in attendance: April Parsons, East Middle School, Anissa Gillis, Mt. Gilead Elementary, Cindy Martin, Montgomery County Early College, Ruby Parsons, Montgomery Learning Academy, Christy McIntyre, West Middle School, Autumn McNeill, Candor Elementary, Miriam DeBerry, Troy Elementary, Phil Spivey, Montgomery Central High School, and Celia McKinney, Green Ridge Elementary. Not in attendance: Casey Galloway, CTE Building, Scott Blue, Montgomery Central High School, Stacey Crump, Star Elementary, and Janet Sechrest, Page Street Elementary.
Welcome/Celebrations
Dr. Ellis welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for serving on this year’s committee.
Ruby Parsons expressed her excitement about the new to MLA furniture!
Phil Spivey was excited to celebrate a shiny new high school. He said it is spectacular and encouraged everyone to come see it!
Anissa Gillis shared excitement for the new administrative interns at Mt. Gilead Elementary, Jennah King and Elise Smith. She expressed that good things are happening at their school.
Return to School
Right now, we will be returning to school under Plan B on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The board has not indicated at this point that they want to revisit this. As you know, anything can happen. NYC just announced today they are returning to remote learning. In all honesty, anything can happen. One of the more significant concerns is what is happening in the state. Dr. Ellis would not be shocked that based on the numbers if there were additional shutdowns. He said he had seen news information about retail shutdowns but not the schools. The theory is that students are not getting it at school but out in the community. Right now, MC is in orange, which means we have a significant spread. One of the reasons we may have moved down is that we have reduced testing. He understands there are a lot of concerns from employees about what going back to school will mean. We have a laundry list of questions from employees. We will put out the answers in December. We understand a lot of families are struggling. At some point, the kids are going to have to come back to school. And it will take several years to recoup the “summer slide” that students have experienced. We are thankful for what everyone is doing during remote learning, but we know it cannot replace face-to-face learning. Dr. Ellis has said repeatedly how proud he is of our teachers and the exceptional job they are doing during remote learning. The work you have been committed to is paying off.
When the state did not give us a testing waiver, we knew that we would have to bring students back in December for testing. This was the driving force behind allowing sports. We felt this would allow us the opportunity to fine-tune our safety protocols and precautions for students in preparation for the January return. We are trying to balance parent concerns and wanted to provide a date of the return for them to prepare for as well.
Even if it is delayed, we will be returning to school before there is a viable vaccine. In reality, it could be 18 to 24 months before a vaccine is ready. There will be a phased approach to those who receive it, and the quantity of vaccines will be an issue. We are working to ensure that we have protocols in place to help keep everyone safe when we do return.
Dr. Ellis expressed that he is the proudest of the fact that we have made a decision and stuck with it. Unlike other districts that have continuously changed their plan.
COVID-19 Precautions
Please ensure that you are frequently washing your hands, wearing your mask, and staying 6 feet apart. Please make sure that you are wearing the mask properly, covering your mouth and nose. When you are alone at your desk, it is okay not to be wearing your mask. We want this to be a safe place to work, and we need everyone to do their part and follow these safety measures.
Budget Update
The problem with another shutdown, if it would happen, is the effect it will have on an already hurting economy. What is troubling about another shutdown is the damage it will do to the economy, which will result in less tax revenue. We have seen a loss of around 200 students this school year. Unlike previous years, this was not due to Charter School but home school. Our goal has to be to get these students back. We were held harmless this year, but we know at some point we will see negative effects on our budget for the loss of these students if they do not return. We are very cautious in preparation for next year to maintain the positions we currently have. We have always said if you want a job here and you’re doing a good job, there will be a job here for you.
Final Construction Update
It's a very exciting time for Montgomery Central. The building is done, and everyone has moved in. Contractors are working on the punch list and finishing up the final details. We will have an open house in January, and we encourage all to come.
This project has always been about something bigger than a building. It’s been about a 20-year plan to revitalize Montgomery County. The excitement we want to build with Montgomery Central begins in Pre-K and involves everyone. We want to create that excitement of what it's like to be a Timberwolf from the beginning so that students will want to graduate not only with a high school diploma but an associate degree. It's always been about economic development to create a skilled workforce that will attract businesses to Montgomery County.
Questions
Our bus drivers want to know if there is any plan to compensate them for the money, they are losing not being able to drive the bus.
Unfortunately, no. It is an hourly position. If the buses don’t run, we cannot pay bus drivers. Just like after school tutoring, SRO at ball games, etc. If the work is not done, we cannot compensate the individual.
Can you elaborate on how Plan B will be executed as far as how we will be live in the class while some students are remote?
The district is going to try to give you as much flexibility as possible.
Before school started in August parents were asked if they wanted to do remote learning. Is there going to be another parent survey sent out asking parents if they want their child to stay remote next semester?
Yes. We are planning for the survey to go live next Monday. We need that information also for bus routes.
Please note the special 80 hours of leave for those who test positive or have to be quarantined due to COVID-19 expires on December 31. There has been no indication that the deadline will be extended.
Please share with all of your colleagues what a phenomenal job you all are doing! We appreciate you. Keep doing what you’re doing!