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As part of a presentation for a new high school schedule, BCHS Principal Gibbs spoke at a called Board of Education meeting last night. He shared a story of being in the lunchroom one day, describing it as “sad.”
Students spread out because of social distancing, unable to have conversations with friends. And a lack of students because of the high number of quarantines. According to a letter sent home to parents, 35 percent of the student body has been forced into quarantine since August 21. But it’s not because of positive COVID-19 tests.
Rather, the high number is the result of a new Department of Public Health rule which mandates any student within six feet of a COVID-19 positive person for more than 15 minutes must quarantine for 14 days. Regardless of whether they were wearing a mask.
Gibbs then told the story of a runner who had to quarantine on August 21, the day the Runnin’ Royals had their two mile practice race. He told of students called to his office because of having to quarantine, all crying. One student who had just returned to school was forced out for a second 14 days because of the DPH rules.
The parents letter also spoke of the difficulty teachers were facing, having to prepare lessons for students as well as the high number of quarantined. Administrators believed social distancing was their only option. So an advisory team, made up of Gibbs, assistant principals Dr. Brad Knox and Dr. Matt Godwin, and numerous school faculty worked to come up with an alternate schedule.
What came out of it was diving students into two groups, purple and gold. Students would go on alternating days. September 4 would serve as acclimation day for students. No students would be on camps September 8 and 9 so that faculty could prepare. The alternating schedule would begin September 10 with purple attending.
Under the alternating schedule, students not in class would work from home, either via Google Classroom or paper assignments. Chromebooks and wi-fi hot spots would be provided to those without technology. A sack breakfast and lunch would be available for students to bring home for the next day they weren’t at school.
Gibbs made the point that this plan wasn’t about protecting sports. Rather, it was to ensure students school lives weren’t disrupted. It was pointed out that only a small percentage of high school students had chosen distance learning, a majority being those with underlying health conditions. Gibbs called it “a blessing and a curse” that kids wanted to be at school. The curse being an inability to social distance because of building size.
BCHS Administrators believed this would prevent scenarios where one student testing positive for covid forcing 30 students to quarantine. They also said they would take special care to ensure students who depending on school for their well-being would be looked after.
Those needing tutoring could schedule appointments for after school. If needed, transportation to extracurricular activities could be provided. It was suggested, and Gibbs agreed, to prepare documents and a video explaining the new schedule, and answer questions about it.
Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith expressed frustration at the current DPH rules, wishing there were quarantine guidelines for healthy students. He and board members thanked the BCHS team for their efforts in preparing the new schedule. It passed unanimously. The upcoming schedule changes only apply to BCHS.
Continuing on with the primary school project was also a part of Thursday night’s meeting. Jack Lloyd of JCI Contractors was in attendance. Joining via Zoom was Dave Miller from JCI and Leah Jones from Altman+Barrett Architects.
Lloyd recapped what had taken place during Phase I, asbestos abatement, demolition of the old high school, and site work at a cost of $3,508,622. Lloyd also spoke of how they had discussions with the architect and his firm on redesign and value engineering changes that would reduce costs after the initial budget projection of $23.5 million for the project was made in March.
He then discussed subcontractor participation in the bid process. Lloyd said they received an average of four bids per package, and it could be the highest level of participation received on a school project. Miller, the project manager, discussed the bid packages, and how they arrived at the GMP (Greatest Maximum Price) of $18,731,371.
Thanks to changes made because of Altman+Barrett and JCI working together, project cost was reduced by $1.3 million. The GMP was approved. Half the project will be funded by the state with low-wealth project specific funding.
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by BleckleyProgess.com
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