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SALINEVILLE -- Happy to be back in school, Southern Local administrators on Tuesday talked to the board about upcoming programs, activities and ways to work toward catching students back up after so much time in virtual classes.
High school and junior high principal Jay Kiger said when the students returned it was obvious some had not been on a schedule of getting up early, but they were happy to be back at school. The high school is preparing for testing at this time.
Elementary principal Rich Wright reported on the plan to begin intervention for students in grades kindergarten through sixth, bringing students in early on mornings to get some extra attention in areas where they may be behind. Students would be given breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and get the additional help between 7:45 a.m. and the start of the elementary school day.
While both administrators pointed out virtual learning was something the school's teachers were not prepared to do and created a challenge for them, they also said the staff did everything it could to make it happen and most of the students responded as well. Kiger went on to say there have been some issues where students have not been getting their work done, but from what he can see Southern Local did better than many schools with the difficult situation.
Superintendent Tom Cunningham said he meets regularly with the county superintendents and from what he can tell virtual learning was not perfect for many students and Southern Local is not set up to be a totally virtual school. He offered a plan to have summer intervention for students who have fallen behind as well.
Additionally, Kiger proposed the school would like to host a prom.
"I am sick and tired of taking things off of kids," Kiger said, adding instructor Bob Shansky has agreed to put together a plan to keep students safe but allow them to have an event even it if will not have all the pomp of a normal prom. Kiger added the seniors did not get to have one their junior year when the coronavirus began and he believes they deserve to have something for their senior year.
Cunningham reported about 93 staff members have signed up for their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Thursday at the school. Some other upcoming events include parent-teacher conferences on Thursday, the tour of the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center on Feb. 22 and the ACT test on Feb. 23.
Additionally, Shansky, who also is athletic director, reported the winter sports teams are playing as much as possible to try to make up for all of their missed games, including this upcoming Saturday when the boys will play East Palestine at both 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. However, he notes the way this year has gone it is always subject to change.
In other matters:
-- The board approved a contract addendum for non-union full-time employees for severance payout for unused vacation and sick time. The board also had a first reading on a policy regarding social media during instructional hours and prohibiting employees from discussing confidential school information or connecting with students online.
-- The board approved a contract with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to bring Stephanie Ketchum to the school as a paraprofessional beginning Nov. 17, 2020 through July 31, 2021.
-- The board also approved next year's school calendar with school starting for students on Aug. 24, a winter break starting Dec. 22 and running through Jan. 3 and the student's final day on May 26. Graduation would be on May 28.
-- The board approved the lease agreement with DPS Land Services for two parcels -- one 1.97 acres and one 1.22 acres -- at a rate of $2,500 per acre and an 18 percent share of gross netted from the gas taken. The lease would be for six years plus a possible four additional.
-- The board approved contracts for many spring and fall coaches -- Dennis Bowers, junior high boys track; Chastity Sloan, junior high girls track; Richard Sloan and Jimmy Malone, both track assistants; Chris Lewis and Kyle Exline, both assistant baseball coaches; Wright, head football coach; Shansky, head volleyball coach; Kathy Randolph, head cross country coach; and Exline, golf coach.
-- The next meeting of the board is 6:30 p.m., March 9.