Johnston County
Board of Education

report from Sept. 24 meeting

All board members were present:
Chairman Todd Sutton, Teresa Grant, Ronald Johnson, Mike Wooten, and Tracie Zukowski inside the board room, with Terri Sessoms and Peggy Smith taking part by Zoom teleconferencing online

 School board seeks assurances
on logistics of school re-opening
As they've done every step of the way, board members sought assurances at last Thursday's meeting on several concerns tied to the re-opening of Johnston County Public Schools.

Will students' temperatures be checked when they board the bus or when they arrive at school?

Previously, administrators had said temperatures would be checked at boarding, but with the return of many more students than allowed under previous plans, temperatures won't be checked until students disembark at school. That will prevent delays and safety issues at school-bus stops, the board was told.
BY MONTH'S END: YES!
On a related matter, the board learned that administrators are considering temporary adjustments in "bell times" at several schools, especially at campuses shared by elementary and upper-grade students. That's because new rules from the Governor allow more elementary-grade students per bus than what's permitted for older riders who are still under "social distancing" restrictions. That may result in some schools opening as late as 9:30, the board was told.

Is there sufficient custodial staff to handle more sanitizing and "deep cleaning" as required by the Governor's re-opening rules?

Chief of Human Resources Brian Vetrano said his staff hopes to fill 23 and a half vacancies throughout the system by the time students return. Board member Ronald Johnson urged administrators to bring in contracted custodial services to meet cleaning needs and also to explore using federal CARES Act money to pay the schools' staff custodians overtime to get the job done.

Board member Terri Sessoms said teachers and other staff have expressed alarm about some school personnel not wearing masks or observing social distancing at work. Chief of Operations Dolores Gill said that's unacceptable and would be addressed by supervisory staff. Meanwhile, she added, PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) have been delivered to all of Johnston's schools.

Ms. Sessoms also reported that some employees are concerned about ventilation in school buildings. Ms. Gill said the school system's energy-management contractor, Cynergistics, is "working on it," adding that a contractor is handling timely changing of air filters.

What happens when a student or a teacher tests positive for COVID-19?

Assistant Superintendent David Pearce said that individual "and any close contacts will be required to quarantine and participate remotely" in their classes. In the meantime, "every school building is fogged (with disinfectant) every single night," he told the board.

What about teachers and other staff who prefer to remain away from school because of personal health concerns related to the coronavirus threat?

Mr. Vetrano said his office has received about 375 requests for "accommodations" --- jargon for arrangements to keep staff employed without requiring them to come to school --- and 273 employees have requested teleworking privileges.

"Our principals need these people back in their buildings as the students return," Mr. Vetrano insisted. Even so, it will be "a case-by-case decision" on how those situations are handled, he said, noting that state and federal laws now extend paid leave to school personnel in place of normal medical leave if they are "at risk" for serious COVID-19 consequences.

Mr. Johnson asked if funds can be identified to bring in substitutes to help "lighten the burden" on teachers having to handle both at-school and at-home students. "It's a great idea," responded Superintendent Bracy, who said staff would look into that proposal.

Deputy Superintendent Paula Coates reported that webcams will be placed in every middle-school and high-school classroom so teachers can instruct students at home at the same time they instruct students seated in class. (Under the re-opening plan, only half of students in grades 6-12 can be on campus at any one time). Those webcam lessons can be archived for watching online later if students at home miss a particular class for one reason or another, she noted.

Ms. Sessoms said she has been told that teachers at some schools have been asked to clean bathrooms. "That has not been directed from this level," Ms. Gill responded, and Superintendent Bracy said any teacher asked to take on that extra duty "needs to have a conversation with your principal."

Regarding curbside pickup of free student meals now going on at elementary schools throughout Johnston, Ms. Gill said that distribution will shift to the middle and high schools (starting this Monday, Oct. 5). Parents will be able to pick up those meals at any school in the county, whether their children attend that particular school or not, she assured the board.

TO LEARN MORE, check the school system's Frequently Asked Questions>
RETURN TO THE SMITHFIELD WEEKLY SUN FRONT PAGE