Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton kicked off the Aug. 23 board of education meeting with an update on the Road Forward committee that deals with COVID protocols.
“We’re just a year out from when Dr. Morton was delivering these updates at every one of the board meetings,” noted Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche. “And (the presentations were) relatively substantial as there was a lot of information that was coming out last summer and how much the discussion has changed this summer in late August 2022.”
Morton said in the upcoming year, unvaccinated employees will no longer be required to test weekly as ordered by the state. The district will continue to recommend vaccinations and daily self-screenings, but these measures and masking will be voluntary. Unlike last year, locker rooms will also be available for gym class.
“I think the big theme is that mitigation protocols that have been in effect in the past have been heavily, heavily relaxed,” Morton said. “Masking will be voluntary in the district. We support the choice to mask or not to mask.”
In cases of individuals who test positive, they will still be required to stay home for five days and wear a mask on days six to 10 upon returning to school. Like last year, there will be the option of emergency remote instruction for those with COVID, but there may be a one- to three-day period to get hybrid learning set up.
The board also approved a number of curriculums for the 2022-’23 school year, including English, math, science, social studies, world language and physical education. A highly anticipated update to the health curriculum will be given during the Aug. 30 committee meeting and voted on at the Sept. 6 board meeting.
Meloche reiterated that an update was shared earlier this month at the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting and that parents will be able to opt out.
The board introduced a state-mandated policy recognizing student rights to freedom of speech and press for school journalism on first reading and adopted a number of policies discussed at previous meetings. They include allowing board members to participate virtually once per quarter, and a revised harassment, intimidation and bullying policy.
In other news:
- Gina Winters was sworn in as a new board member, taking the place of Kimberly Friddell and bringing the board to nine members. Her term will run through December, with the seat up for election in November
- Cherry Hill High School West representative Lizbeth Reyes said students can share their thoughts with the reps at [email protected].
- For the second consecutive year, the East Musicians on Call Club student group raised and donated $4,592 to the elementary school music program for the purchase of instruments.
The next board of education meeting will be Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lewis Administration Building.
