The Bradford Area School Board voted to furlough 21 bus drivers and reduce the hours for two additional drivers and furlough 53 general, special education and nurse aides during Wednesday’s meeting.
The furloughs are voluntary and are being instituted because the county is still considered at substantial risk for COVID-19 and has been for two consecutive weeks. Three crossing guards were also given a temporary furlough.
Assistant Superintendent Sam Johnson explained that approximately 25 aides will be recalled prior to Jan. 5, which is the date the furlough will begin based on a 15-work day advance notice. The aides will be given work until Jan. 5, and at that time, any aide with seniority who is furloughed will be given the opportunity to take the position of another aide with less seniority who is working, provided they have the necessary qualifications to fill the position.
“It is quite a process,” Johnson said. “Our employees have been very understanding and this is temporary. Our goal is to get everyone back to work as soon as possible.”
COVID-19 numbers were the main theme of the meeting, as board members and school officials discussed the efforts underway to provide technology to students, keep them engaged while learning remotely and other related topics.
Superintendent Katy Pude addressed rumors about when the district may return to in-person instruction. She noted that, despite some statements about plans to remain remote until the end of February, that is not the current plan for the district. Instead, she and other district officials are monitoring the case counts for McKean County on a daily basis, particularly those for Bradford.
“The original intention was to take the return to school after Thanksgiving slow and return fully by Dec. 7,” Pude stated. “However, we had more staff get ill and what concerned us was that we started to see school spread. That makes it very scary and very real.”
Pude noted that Bradford is currently “the hotspot in McKean County, with the bulk of the cases.
“We have the lion’s share of COVID right now,” she said.
Pude also explained that, between Oct. 12 and Thanksgiving break, BASD had to quarantine 436 students and 73 staff. Currently, there are 11 staff with confirmed positive COVID-19 tests and others awaiting the results of testing.
“We know the kids learn better in person, and we would all prefer that,” Pude said, noting that until our zip code begins to show a decrease in case numbers, it remains safer to continue with remote instruction.
Pude also noted that some families remain confused on the attendance policy with remote learning. She reminded parents that students who are not logging in will be noted. Building officials are keeping track of absences and reaching out to the families of students who are not logging in for live sessions and to complete work on Canvas.
“Throughout this meeting, I have sensed an ongoing theme. When we say we put our kids first, we take that seriously,” Board President Shane Oschman stated. “We are in uncharted territory and unique times. I commend all of you (district employees) for still trying to make the best of it. I sleep better knowing we are trying to protect the students, protect the community and continue to try to reach students during this time.”
BASD Athletic Director Mike Erickson explained that, due to the district’s move to remote learning, the winter sports programs have been paused.
“I have been in discussions with Mrs. Pude, and we agree that If it’s not safe enough for our students to attend in-person instruction, it is not safe enough to attend sports practices and competitions,” he stated.
Director of Curriculum Erin Waugaman shared tips for families who are trying to find success with the remote learning model. She suggested the following:
— Find a place for the student to work that is comfortable and free of distractions
— make a work plan for the day and check off any live sessions or assignments that need completed
— encourage students to take notes or ask questions during live sessions — any effort that will keep them engaged
— celebrate the completion of lessons and live sessions
— ask for help when needed.
“We are available to help students through this, and we are here to help everyone,” Waugaman said.
The district continues to have devices available for families who may need them and staff is working on solutions for those who live in an area with poor internet service or none at all. Also, McKean County Commissioners are working to have hotspots installed in areas of concern to help address the issue of broadband access, with hopes to have that completed by the end of 2020.
Bradford resident Jennifer Taylor was the sole comment from the public during the meeting, which was held via Zoom. She noted that, while she understands the concern for staff and students, she feels that students’ mental health and nutritional needs, as well as those students with complex learning needs like her son, “need to be back in school as soon as possible.” She also commended teachers and expressed appreciation for all they do.
In other news, the district received a clean audit from Buffamante, Whipple and Buttafaro (BWB), the district’s CPA firm. During the presentation, the district was commended for its response to the various changes caused by COVID-19 precautions, with note that the district operated at a surplus of $48,000 in the food services fund. This is not generally the case for school districts, according to Kaitlin Giordano of BWB. The firm’s conclusion that there were no findings of concern in the district’s financial operations.
The board also announced the meeting schedule for 2021, which is to hold the monthly meetings on the second Monday of each month, with a couple of exceptions: Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 8, April 19 (third Monday), May 10, June 28 (fourth Monday), Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 1. All meetings are at 7 p.m.
The board also held its annual reorganizational meeting prior to Wednesday’s regular meeting. Shane Oschman was approved as President and Paul Ridley was approved as Vice-President of the board for 2021.
