Board discusses mask enforcement at January meeting

Potomac School Board

POTOMAC - Members of the Potomac School Board discussed the continuation of their 1900 series policies which includes requiring masks in school facilities at their Jan. 11 meeting. The series also maintains student cohort groups throughout the school day and encourages social distancing as much as possible inside the buildings.

Given Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s recent announcement of his intentions to remove the statewide mask mandate following vaccine distributions, Principal John Rouse recommended that the school maintain its current level of health and safety protocols through a resolution. This would include the requirement that anyone above the age of four must wear a face covering when inside school buildings and the community center when used for school functions.

The Board put the protocols in place in June so the school could be safely reopened. Board members discussed changing the face covering requirements but because nothing would change until state and county restrictions are lifted, no action was taken.

Those who were against the resolution felt it should be up to individuals to choose whether or not they should wear a mask in school. Some also had doubts about the efficacy of mask wearing in school especially when it is not worn during recess or lunch.

Those in favor of the resolution felt it was better to stay safe and maintain the success the school has had at constricting spread rather than risk contagion by allowing mask wearing to be optional. They also said that masks are only effective when they are being used universally among groups. Regarding not wearing masks during certain portions of the day, they compared it to the benefits of wearing a seatbelt and mitigating risk factors by taking preventative action.

Rouse said if the school loses three staff members, then it would be forced to go remote. Currently one staff member is out after testing positive.

The Board will revisit the discussion if Gianforte lifts the mandate and the Missoula City-County Health Department no longer has mask requirements. Rouse reminded attendees that until the Board meets and removes the 1900 series, those inside the school should continue to abide by mask requirements.

Students from the eighth grade class presented updates on their fundraiser for their Canyonlands National Park trip. As of the meeting they have raised $24,258 when they needed $23,822. They are currently waiting for exact hotel costs and zip line choices along with other expenses. They have put down their $2,400 deposit for their rafting trip.

During their respective reports, Rouse and Teacher Abby Stitt talked about how they are incorporating the Gradual Release of Responsibility instructional framework into the school’s curriculum. The model suggests that the burden of responsibility should slowly be transferred from the teachers’ shoulders until it ultimately ends up on the students’ through four steps. It starts out with focused instruction, then goes to guided instruction, then collaborative learning among students before going into independent learning for eventual assessment.

Rouse cited educational speaker and author Harry Wong when he said, “At the end of the day, if the teacher is the most tired, she’s not doing something right.” While he slightly disagrees with the statement, he said the ultimate point of the message is that adults cannot instill information into a child for them. Rather the child must experience it for him or herself.

Later in Rouse’s report he announced that the school’s annual Missoula Children’s Theater production has been rescheduled to the week of May 3. He also announced that according to the most recent version of the vaccination rollout protocol, educators should be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination beginning Jan. 15.

The Board then unanimously approved the proposed changes to Potomac Association of Classified Employees (PACE) 20-21 base wages as well as the addition of a personal care attendant position. They also unanimously voted to approve the Principal Intent to Hire.

The Board unanimously approved the second reading for policy update 8210-R. The update states that any $10,000 – $80,000 purchases should be taken out to bid. It also has it so the school would preferably purchase food that is directly “Farm to Plate” and is grown as locally as possible. The update also has it so the District will adhere to “Buy American” for the food service program which Rouse said feels like it “represents the values of the community.”

Towards the end of the meeting, board members were assigned to various contract negotiation committees for Potomac School District employees.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

 

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