GISD plans for uncertain future

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented procedures, and like Groesbeck ISD students, the GISD Board of Trustees were expected to embrace technology in a new way on Monday, April 20, holding their regularly scheduled meeting through a videoconference service called Zoom. Though Governor Greg Abbott announced on Friday, April 17 that Texas schools must remain closed for what’s left of the spring semester due to COVID-19, educators must continue providing instruction to students until the school calendar’s final day, and administrators must continue making decisions about the district’s future for the eventual return to normalcy.

One of the most pressing and fast-approaching decisions for the district is how to handle high school graduation. Some schools have opted to hold a virtual graduation ceremony, while others plan to ask graduating seniors to pick up their diplomas in a drivethrough style ceremony. GHS Principal Dr. Bonnie Bomar addressed the board with hopes and opinions that seniors and parents had shared with her directly; reading a letter from one senior that asked the board to consider waiting to allow a formal graduation ceremony to be held mid to late summer if possible.

‘As a senior, I speak for everybody when I say that we should wait. Please do us a favor and fight for the formal graduation we all deserve. I understand you can’t please everybody, but please look at the larger group…’ wrote senior Cambry Williams.

‘We already got robbed of our school memories, sports, field trips, prom and so much more. We have all dreamed of throwing our caps up in the air with our friends, and saying our final goodbyes. I’m begging you, please do everything you can to let us live that one dream.’

Board members were vocal about their desire to honor the wishes of these students and provide a formal ceremony as has always been done in the past, but no date has yet been provided for when public gatherings will be allowed again by the state of Texas, making even long-term scheduling difficult to accomplish. Following the suggestion of Board Vice President Jud Huges, the board voted unanimously to table the decision until Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath provides more information and guidance on this matter, at which point a special meeting will be called and a decision made.

Principals from each campus also spoke to the board about instruction methods by their respective staffs, with all praising the many hours and hard work by educators during this trying time. Some parents have requested less contact from teachers, while others are communicating closely with teachers to ensure their children are on track. A majority of students are utilizing online instruction, but paper assignments are available for all students who lack internet access, and educators are being lenient and flexible with students who are making the effort to complete assignments.

Superintendent Dr. James Cowley and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Diane Freeman spoke to the board about the possibility of offering summer school for the 25% or fewer students that are failing to complete or turn in school work during this time.

“In the month of July, we could offer a summer school program for all grade levels, and I’m looking at maximizing the use of our federal dollars as well as what we would get through the Corona Virus Relief Act, as well as through our ACE program to pay for summer school,” Freeman said. “We would have four full weeks, four days a week, and I’m looking at four to six hours per day where we could come in, pay teachers, run buses and provide transportation to get the students in that didn’t meet 90% attendance for the first semester (which was waived for this second semester but not the first semester) so they could make up that time and earn those credits. We want to make sure we don’t lose the gains we’ve been seeing in academic achievement because of this pandemic.”

Freeman went on to stress that the focus and design would be to ensure all students have a chance to move forward, especially those who, through no fault of their own, are struggling to learn or complete work under this school-at-home system that has been a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several board members voiced concerns and questions about internet access for some students, to which Cowley noted that wifi has been made available at two campuses so students can work from a vehicle in the parking lot. Board member Aslone Foy asked about whether other districts are considering offering summer school programs, and about the practicality of students being able to complete the work in the summer if they are already having trouble in current circumstances. Freeman responded that the district is not considering an online summer school, as the online aspect is likely a factor in some students not effectively learning or completing work at the current time, but noted that it is still unknown whether the district will be allowed to open a campus in July to hold summer school at all. Freeman also stated that if the district is not allowed to to hold a summer school program, determining which students move forward will vary depending on grade level and individual student performance prior to the pandemic. A two-week boot camp of sorts to review major learning points from the previous grade with students has also been discussed as a possibility, should holding a summer school program not be allowed by state guidelines. Any decision regarding summer school will be determined at a later date, after social distancing guidelines and state decisions are updated.

Cowley also informed the board that since school closures, Groesbeck has provided more than 9,400 meals to students through the meal distribution program at four sites in the district, of which the district is very proud.

The board also returned to an item from a previous meeting, working to determine the best course of action for a bus that needs a new engine. Director of Transportation Dayne Duncan explained that having the engine replaced would come at a cost of about $21,000, and that even with the included two year warranty on a new engine, the district would likely lose money if it were to be sold. The alternative option would be for Southwest International to rebuild the current engine for a cost of about $10,000 dollars. The bus could also potentially be sold as is for a smaller profit at a later date, or kept.

Duncan also informed the board that the fleet of new buses the district has purchased from Thomas Bus is expected to be completed by the end of June, and should be in the district by the end of July, if all goes according to schedule. However, because of the uncertainty around the COVID-19 situation, the district is still waiting to sell the current fleet of buses until the new buses arrive. The board voted to continue storing the bus at Southwest International in Waco at no cost to the district, so an informed decision can be made at a later date, once new buses are in the district.

In other business, the board:

• Approved consent agenda items;

• Approved Texas Education Agency (TEA) Waivers;

• Heard from Dr. Freeman about the greater Waco Area Health Care Academy (WAHCA) and potential to partner with them for a health science program for next school year, with more information to be provided later for a decision to be made.

Though an executive session had been included on the agenda, the board determined there was no need to utilize such time. Enge-Washington Principal Beth Westoff shared that she had planned to retire at the end of this school year, but she expressed a change of heart and strong desire to stay on with the district and her staff for the foreseeable future due to the changes and stress brought about by COVID-19; the board was pleased to offer her an extension instead of approving her resignation. The board also approved Valarie Henson as the Middle School Cheer Sponsor for next school year. The meeting promptly adjourned at 7:47 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for May 18, 2020 at 6 p.m. via Zoom video-conference call.

*A special meeting will likely be called within the next week to make a decision regarding a graduation ceremony for GHS seniors, and details will be made available on the GISD website under the School Board tab as well as upcoming issues of the Journal.