Neelyville seeks grant for home internet to assist with virtual instruction

NEELYVILLE — The Neelyville School District has applied for grant assistance to help families and teachers fund home internet to assist with remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period.

That matter and others related to the district tax levy, COVID policies, virtual courses and additional COVID relief money were discussed recently by the Board of Education during their monthly meeting.

The board set the tax levy rate at 2.9281, which is the maximum tax rate permitted by the state, Superintendent Debra Parish said.

COVID precautions

During a recent vaccination clinic, 31 students received required vaccinations, while seven students and eight adults took COVID-19 vaccinations, Parish said.

“A big thanks to the Butler County Health Department for providing the clinic and nurse Chanda Pogue for all her extra efforts in this endeavor,” she said.

The COVID-19 CDC guideline updates say if exposed, vaccinated persons do not have to quarantine.

Parish said the Butler County Health Department has agreed if a person is exposed. and was wearing a mask, he/she does not have to quarantine unless symptoms develop, but must still wear a mask.

The board discussed whether to award days to staff who must be quarantined so they would not have to use sick days and Parish stated it was decided that no “free days” would be granted at this time, but the situation would be monitored and considered again if the circumstances warranted.

Funding assistance for home internet/devices

Parish explained, the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund is a $7.17 billion program that will help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period.

“Bruce McGrew and I met with representatives from Windstream,” Parish said. “A list of the addresses of our students and staff were submitted to see how many would possibly qualify. A total of 216 families were identified that could qualify for some type of internet assistance if the grant is awarded. The grant can also provide devices that can be sent home with students who do not have devices. Mr. McGrew did apply for the grant. More information will be forthcoming if the grant is awarded.”

Virtual school policy

Virtual course policy information was received from the Missouri School Board Association and presented to the board.

Increased regulation of the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) has complicated the topic of virtual instruction, Parish said. MSBA has decided to split this single policy into two policies: one which covers virtual courses in general, and one which covers MOCAP specifically. Most of the changes to policy are to eliminate language that is now in other policies. MSBA has also addressed student responsibility for images, audio and video they transmit into the virtual education environment.

“While the district has less control over the education environment when students are learning remotely, this policy authorizes district action when a student’s image, audio or video transmissions become disruptive,” Parish explained. “The Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program enrollment process is required to be ‘substantially similar’ to the enrollment process for other district courses, and student behavior expectations are the same.”The new regulation requires districts to approve or deny a student’s request to take a MOCAP course within 10 business days or the request is deemed approved. The State Board also amended the regulations to require school districts to provide all records regarding the denial of a request to take a MOCAP course to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) within 72 hours of the appeal to DESE.

Rebecca Hale presented the virtual education procedures and forms to the board, who approved the updated policies.

Additional $2.4M in funding

The board learned the American Rescue Plan-Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund ESSER III Budget Proposal was required to be entered into electronic planning and electronic grants system by Aug. 23, but can be revised for some time. The district’s allocation is $2,354,018. The initial budget includes salaries, tutoring through Boys and Girls Club, textbooks, heating and air, and cleaning supplies.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Harlee Fisher and approved the hiring of Jeffrey Walker as a custodian and bus driver.

The September meeting will be held Sept. 16.