Macon Reporter

Maroa Forsyth Community Unit School District 2 Board of Education met Oct. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order

A. Meeting called to order at 6:02 pm.

2. Roll Call

A. Wissam Hasnain, Matt Crawford, Brad Wilkey, Lindsey Wise, Lori Willoughby present. Brandi Binkley, Darin Duzan not present. Darin arrived at 6:15pm.

3. E-Learning Days Program Overview Presentation

A. John--Principals are here to speak tonight and will speak in a little bit. There are requirements for this to proceed. There has to be a public hearing, notice posted, a memo of understanding for the Teacher's Union. The teacher's were polled and 85% want to pursue. Once the Board passes the resolution, the ROE (Regional Office of Education) has to sign off approval. Brandi has concerns and spoke to Lindsey and I. She's not here tonight. Lindsey will communicate those concerns later in the meeting. We know there will be feedback, adjustments and changes we need to make with the process being new.

B. Carrie--Warrensburg-Latham is also looking at the e-learning days. I reached out to them to see what they will do. Rebecca Gideon is going to present what the Grade School teachers are planning.

C. Lindsey--Brandi's questions--What about songs? What if resources are not accessible for student(s)?

D. Rebecca--(Passed out a handout of how the Elementary staff would handle an e-learning day.) There would be a handout in the binder which goes back and forth each day. This does not require internet. It would involve reading, working on sight words, jumping jacks. They would check off when they finish and sign off. If they don't have the necessary tools needed, it would be treated as a day they are absent and work on the items the next day they return to school. It would consist of review work and not contain new material.

E. Kris--Middle School would utilize Google Classroom. They would read an assigned passage. There would be online discussion. It would run similar to an online class. They would review stuff which would involve extension activities.

F. Brice--We would utilize Google Classroom. Assignments/lessons would be posted by 8:30 am. We do similar items to this now with homework--post assignments and reminders. If needed, they could make up work during study hall or focused learning when they return to school. A lot of their homework they do now on their smartphone.

G. Kyle Tutt--Demonstrated Google Classroom showing the Board how the system works and how he is currently utilizing it in teaching his classes. Uses Skype to create a conference allowing them to still be able to see each other. He asks questions, they answer. He might assign a short video to watch then create an interactive worksheet for discussion.

H.Wissam--Is this self-paced?

I. Kyle--Yes. I've been using Google Classroom for five years. In that time, only three students were unable to participate. They were instructed to come in early or over lunch and were hooked up to the internet and able to get work done.

J. Brice--Has to be an emergency day to use an e-learning day.

K. Lori--How many can we use?

L. John--Five. Board approves at next meeting, ROE approved, waiver approved.

M. Brice--After waiver, there is still a 30 day waiting period. Would come out like it comes out now for snow days, etc.

N. John--We can table if we need to but hope act and vote for so we can proceed in getting set up. Hiccups will come but we will adjust and adapt.

4. Citizens Wishing to Comment on the E-Learning Days Program

A. No citizens present

5. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn. Brad second. All yes votes. Meeting adjourned at 6:29pm.

https://mfschools-net.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/Approved-Minutes-from-the-October-28-2019-Special-Board-Meeting.pdf