JACKSON – With the relaxation of guidelines regarding the pandemic, the Board of Education and administration is looking for a fresh start in fall when the new school year begins.
“We’ve gained unity in working together and I believe in moving forward we will grow stronger from it and we will continue to do wonderful things educationally for students,” Superintendent Nicole Pormilli said during a recent School Board meeting. “I am looking forward to a fall with hopefully a lot of normalcy.”
During the public comment period for agenda items, a resident asked about plans for the fall and if students would be brought back to a full-time schedule and if masks would most likely be required when school reopens.
Pormilli said, “in regards to masks for the fall we need to know what the guidelines are going to be and that will come out hopefully in July. Some guidelines will come out for schools but for right now I can’t answer that until I have more information. I want to be hopeful that they won’t need to wear masks but I have to wait and see what those guidelines will be.
“We certainly will keep our community informed throughout the process even through the summer to any changes and health guidelines,” Pormilli said.
A Jackson Liberty High School student asked about the status of a proposed surfing club in the school district. Pormilli said this was being reviewed. “It has made it to my desk and I am seeing how we can do this safely and make sure we are covered insurance-wise so hopefully you’ll hear some news before the end of the school year to see if we can ensure something for next year.”
Board Vice President Michael Walsh reported that the school district’s scholarship committee has met to determine the remaining scholarships to be issued “and now there is 145 seniors who will receive some type of scholarship. It is equal to about $145,000. We are down $15,000 in the last year but I’m sure that will come right back as soon as we work our way out of this pandemic.”
Walsh noted the recent adoption of the budget “and we are waiting to see what kind of changes we have to make to that budget. I know the superintendent is working on health issues to try and cut the amount of health expenses and we are also hoping that we will get funds, what is it called now?”
Pormilli responded, ARP (American Recovery Plan) Act, essentially ESSER III.”
“The template for that isn’t even going to be released for that and then we have to fill out a whole lot of paperwork and get it in by June 24,” Walsh added.
“As usual we’re not even going to know how much money we’re getting until after the next school year has started,” Walsh said.
Walsh reported on negotiations with certified supervisors and the Teamsters union. “We have exchanged proposals and we are looking over the proposals and will be meeting in the next few weeks with the two groups and we will hammer out the contracts.”
Board member John Burnetsky said during a visit he made to all 10 school buildings in the district he asked each principal how they and their staff were faring during “the trying last 14 months they’ve had.”
“Each principal told me they were doing amazing work. They have adapted to do what they needed to do to make this year, as crazy as it is, the best it could be and let’s be honest, this year has been hard on everyone. Teachers, administrators, support staff, secretaries, custodial staff, cafeteria staff and nurses and boy have the nurses been busy,” Burnetsky added.
Burnetsky said, “it has also been hard on parents but more importantly, on our students. I’ve seen first hand how the teachers and staff have handled all the constant changes. This required tremendous strength and the requirement to step out of anyone’s comfort zone.”
Herman said he also took part in the visit and was impressed about the “energy and learning which is phenomenal. Our hope is that all our students in Jackson will have the same future.”
