School Board Meets
April 6 2020
Clayberry
School Board members gather twice each month. The first
meeting for April 2020was held April 6th. Boardsters, staff
and the peanut gallery practiced social distancing.
Superintendent Joe Paxton kept capacity down to 10 max in the
room.
Total public meeting was at 16 minutes. Secret time was called after that. Not sure how long they were behind closed doors 'cause we skedaddled.
During that brief public time a couple morsels.
To date the School System has brought in $1,778,752.85 from taxes. That's up close to $300,000 from this time last year.
The Pentagon plans to use a $277,244.00 grant to beef up school security, upgrade camera systems at three grade schools, and a new intercom system at CMS and H E White.
There was no mention of the school shut down nor Corona Beer Bug listed on the agenda. There was no public discussion brought up by Boardsters.
Just as the elected ones were heading into secret time, a guy in the peanut gallery asked a couple questions directed at Joe Paxton
Total public meeting was at 16 minutes. Secret time was called after that. Not sure how long they were behind closed doors 'cause we skedaddled.
During that brief public time a couple morsels.
To date the School System has brought in $1,778,752.85 from taxes. That's up close to $300,000 from this time last year.
The Pentagon plans to use a $277,244.00 grant to beef up school security, upgrade camera systems at three grade schools, and a new intercom system at CMS and H E White.
There was no mention of the school shut down nor Corona Beer Bug listed on the agenda. There was no public discussion brought up by Boardsters.
Just as the elected ones were heading into secret time, a guy in the peanut gallery asked a couple questions directed at Joe Paxton
Haynie Paxton
Question: All this time
off, how does that affect our graduating seniors?
Joe Paxton: The State is still putting together guidelines on what we need to go thru. But, they told us to be as flexible . Obviously, kids that have to do credit recovery if they are in need of credit to graduate or are currently failing a class we will certainly work with them anyway possible so they are passing so they can graduate.
Joe Paxton: The State is still putting together guidelines on what we need to go thru. But, they told us to be as flexible . Obviously, kids that have to do credit recovery if they are in need of credit to graduate or are currently failing a class we will certainly work with them anyway possible so they are passing so they can graduate.
Bodkins Triplett
Question: Will the kids
that didn't do their snow packets, will they get incompletes?
Paxton: No, the State has been very clear and challenging counties to put together work that is engaging students that allows them to complete something that is on level and within parameters that is on level with their classroom. What the State is very clear and I think is clear on our website is, no one is punished for NOT doing it. We hope the students are engaged and their teachers are reaching out to them . It's an opportunity that can only help.
So, no student will be penalized for not completing. However if they need it to increase grades , if they credits to graduate, any of those things,
Paxton: No, the State has been very clear and challenging counties to put together work that is engaging students that allows them to complete something that is on level and within parameters that is on level with their classroom. What the State is very clear and I think is clear on our website is, no one is punished for NOT doing it. We hope the students are engaged and their teachers are reaching out to them . It's an opportunity that can only help.
So, no student will be penalized for not completing. However if they need it to increase grades , if they credits to graduate, any of those things,
Pierson
Question: What about the
kids that are going to college or something?
Paxton: Virtual credit or dual credit class, they are to continue those online based or as close as possible with some modifications from their instructor.
Question for a graduating senior, will his report card say he passed whatever he's taking, his 12th year?
Paxton: Yes, the same as every other county in the State. They are all on the same boat we are.
Question: How will the teacher say A, B ,C, D when he [she] hasn't been there in three weeks or more?
Paxton: I can tell ya, Ms Haynie and I sat in on a conference call today on what to do. There are a million scenarios on what to do. For one, counties are still in limbo on is this an all year closure or are we just out to the end of April at this point. I know they are looking at every piece of that. They are looking at college entrance boards and every piece of this. The key word they are looking at is flexibility
We are going to do whatever we can to make sure our kids have the opportunity to pass classes if they need to pass classes , to do whatever kind of scholarships ... they can apply online .. Everybody in the state is stressing flexibility.
As for knowing the future, when schools will reopen, Joe Paxton, " I'd love to know what the end game is . But, we don't know. ... We have to keep providing and engaging .. If they need a grade they will certainly get a grade.
Question: If you do come back this year, do you start where you left us two months ago?
Paxton: We have to take guidance from the State. Our teachers have been putting together work that is consistent with what they were doing when they left especially at the high school level. We have to be flexible. I hate to speculate and then the State come in with something that says something different. At one point, there was talk, the nine week grade could be the semester grade....
Question: Are Spring sports off the table this year?
Paxton: As far as I know... I haven't been told any differently. It is unfortunate but it is what it is. We try to do the best with it every day.
Note 1 we tried to include every word Mr Paxton offered to the public.
Note 2 : Some county superintendents have already announced, graduating seniors will receive their diplomas based on grades before schools were closed in mid March.
AW
Paxton: Virtual credit or dual credit class, they are to continue those online based or as close as possible with some modifications from their instructor.
Question for a graduating senior, will his report card say he passed whatever he's taking, his 12th year?
Paxton: Yes, the same as every other county in the State. They are all on the same boat we are.
Question: How will the teacher say A, B ,C, D when he [she] hasn't been there in three weeks or more?
Paxton: I can tell ya, Ms Haynie and I sat in on a conference call today on what to do. There are a million scenarios on what to do. For one, counties are still in limbo on is this an all year closure or are we just out to the end of April at this point. I know they are looking at every piece of that. They are looking at college entrance boards and every piece of this. The key word they are looking at is flexibility
We are going to do whatever we can to make sure our kids have the opportunity to pass classes if they need to pass classes , to do whatever kind of scholarships ... they can apply online .. Everybody in the state is stressing flexibility.
As for knowing the future, when schools will reopen, Joe Paxton, " I'd love to know what the end game is . But, we don't know. ... We have to keep providing and engaging .. If they need a grade they will certainly get a grade.
Question: If you do come back this year, do you start where you left us two months ago?
Paxton: We have to take guidance from the State. Our teachers have been putting together work that is consistent with what they were doing when they left especially at the high school level. We have to be flexible. I hate to speculate and then the State come in with something that says something different. At one point, there was talk, the nine week grade could be the semester grade....
Question: Are Spring sports off the table this year?
Paxton: As far as I know... I haven't been told any differently. It is unfortunate but it is what it is. We try to do the best with it every day.
Note 1 we tried to include every word Mr Paxton offered to the public.
Note 2 : Some county superintendents have already announced, graduating seniors will receive their diplomas based on grades before schools were closed in mid March.
AW