Salem Grade School Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe announced to the school board Thursday night plans to return to in-school instruction after the Holiday Break on January 5th.
Foppe says she understands the desire to get back to the classroom.
“This is a hardship on everyone, especially our working parents in trying to educate their kids. Especially with us being full remote. The reason we went on full remote is because we had so many staff that were positive or on quarantine. We actually couldn’t feed our kids for a while. So those are the reasons we went to full remote. Then we were hoping by staying out until Christmas break it would give everyone a chance to get out of quarantine and heal properly to come back on January fourth. Some schools talked about staying out even a little longer, but we are not. Our goal is to resume with the teachers on January 4th and the kids on the fifth.”
Foppe says they will return to the old schedule of in-school learning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday with a shortened day and full remote learning on Wednesday.
The board discussed the issue after board members indicated they had received concerns about the impact of remote learning. Foppe encouraged any parents with concerns to contact her. She notes while remote learning has been difficult for everyone, they have a lot to celebrate in transitioning to one on one computers for 2nd through 7th grade. Only 8th grade had been one on one with computers prior to this school year.
Board member Alisha Ambuehl says while she realizes no one wants to complain during the present circumstances, she says their feedback is desired and needed. Ambuehl would also like to see a survey of parents.
Foppe says 92 students are currently slated to start the second semester on full remote learning by their choice. The parents of another 26 students have indicated they are home school their children.
In other action, the board approved a 4.97-percent increase in the tax levy for next year’s property tax bills over what was collected this year.
The board hired Title One Paraprofessional Laura Burkett as the replacement for the retiring Connie Graham. Burkett will spend the second half of the year shadowing Graham to learn the job. Burkett will be replaced in the Title One position by Karen Owens. The board also hired Crystal Gregg as student services secretary.
The board thanked Linda Hays for her 24 years of service as cafeteria manager. She is retiring at the end of December.
