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V.B Consideration of issuing letter to the Board of Education recommending priority be <br /> given to getting students physically in class in the safest possible environment. <br /> Commissioner Bill Carver drafted a letter as a point of discussion to recommend and <br /> offer support to the Board of Education for students return to in-person schooling. He <br /> stated that he recognizes the Board of Education is under a tremendous amount of <br /> pressure in navigating how to bring kids back to school. A survey resulted in 66% of <br /> parents wanting to return to in-person school in a safe manner. There has not been a <br /> clear plan or approach as to how to make it work to balance in person and virtual <br /> schooling. Commissioner Carver added that there is also the unintended <br /> consequences of keeping children out of school considering the impacts on the kids <br /> and their families. There are two private schools who have been meeting in-person <br /> for quite a while. There has been considerable costs to make sure they were doing <br /> the best they could to protect everyone and they have succeeded. Commissioner <br /> Carver requested support for the Board of Education in navigating the challenges <br /> including providing necessary financial support to help the people who want their <br /> children back in school. Commissioner Lovick stated concerns about sending a letter <br /> from the Board of County Commissioners. He added that the Board of Education has <br /> assured him that they are relying on information from the Health Department. <br /> Commissioner Knecht arrived at 6:18 p.m. <br /> Commissioner Reives asked to give the Board of Education an opportunity to meet <br /> to discuss what the plans are to return to in -person school and if they feel a need to <br /> invite Board members to the table perhaps a joint meeting is in order but he did not <br /> feel addressing the Board of Education in this manner was in order. Commissioner <br /> Sharpe stated to let the Board of Education members do their job. Commissioner <br /> Knecht stated that a lot of classes are going back at smaller numbers and while <br /> some parents have the option to send their children back they have not done so. He <br /> stated that the bigger challenge is the Governor's mandates on returning to school, <br /> which are in the works. At the next Board of Education meeting, the Board is voting <br /> on whether to move to an attendance based class for high school or remain with <br /> virtual learning. Commissioner Carver stated it is not his intention to direct the Board <br /> of Education on how to do their business but wanted to give additional emphasis <br /> looking toward to the future impact on the County and to include some reasonable <br /> discussion as to how the Board of Commissioners could help the Board of Education <br /> make the transition. <br /> draft letter BOC to BOE december 2020.docx <br /> Motion: Motion to table the discussion regarding the letter to the Board of <br /> Education with intention to revisit the discussion at the next meeting. <br /> Mover: Bill Carver <br /> For: 6 - Dr. Andre Knecht, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, <br /> Mark Lovick <br /> Absent: 1 - Arianna Lavallee <br /> Motion Result: Passed <br /> 4 <br />