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FUHSD votes to extend distance learning through second grading period

During the Monday, Sept. 14 meeting of the Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees, the board voted to extend the distance learning model through the second grading period at its two high schools.

As of Sept. 1, San Diego County schools are permitted to reopen for in-person learning as long as the county department of public health guidelines can be followed.

According to Superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez, the district isn't yet prepared to meet all of the guidelines and proposed that the board approve her request to extend distance learning until the second trimester begins on Nov. 9.

"At this time, our philosophy is that we will not transition for the sake of transitioning," Garza-Gonzalez said. "We will transition when the experience we can create for our students is better than our current model and when we can implement all department of public health guidelines.

At this moment, there are some guidelines that are of concern to us.

"The first one being implementing distancing in and outside of the classroom."

She said the school has ordered furniture for the classrooms, and they feel comfortable saying they can ensure distancing in a classroom.

"We cannot ensure the distancing on a school bus," Garza-Gonzalez said.

She said the school is not able to keep its students in small, stable cohorts as mentioned by state guidelines, where teachers would move room to room instead of the students.

"The reason for that is with the exception of English and social science, all of our classes are mixed grade," Garza-Gonzalez said. "Because of the specialization of the different curriculum that is offered, each teacher really needs to be in their own classroom."

She also said there would be difficulties minimizing the movement of students between classes, as well as before and after school. She said even on a block schedule, with 1,900 students at Fallbrook High, it can't be mitigated at this time.

Finally, staff would have to be tested for COVID-19 every other month.

"What isn't clear is when that would happen, how it would happen, and where it would happen," Garza-Gonzalez said.

"We are able to pivot once we hit these guidelines at any moment."

Trustee Lee De Meo said during the discussion that he was likely to vote no on extending the distance learning saying, "I think we should move into a hybrid model as soon as possible. ... At some point, we need to open back up.

"I think the risk of our students passing it to each other is low," he said. "I think the risk to the adult population of our school is mitigated."

De Meo said he understood that the liability for the district still needs to be addressed but stressed that he wanted to have schools back open before the new year.

Nora Maier spoke earlier during the public comment section of two public hearings regarding the district's Sufficiency of Instructional Materials and the Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan (LCAP) for the 2020-21 school year.

Most of her comments surrounded the plan to continue with distance learning.

"I am really asking the board to consider their actions and how they are affecting the students," she said.

"It's really hard to learn when you're getting bumped off your class four or five times. You're just hoping to make roll call, let alone be open to whatever the teacher's trying to teach.

"This is not how kids are meant to learn and they're falling more and more behind. And it really concerns me that other kids like Poway, Scripps, Ranch, Eastlake are going back in session to see their teachers, even in a hybrid model and we're not."

She complained that parents and students were not included in the discussion about whether to extend distance learning.

"On the LCAP, it states that you're supposed to be taking our opinions on what we want as parents and students," Maier said. "No one's asked and people are making unilateral decisions and the kids hate this."

When asked by board member Diane Summers if parents and students could be asked whether they want to go back to campus or not, Garza-Gonzalez gave the reason as to why they haven't been asked already.

"We did not ask the parents because we know that we cannot meet all of the guidelines earlier than that," she said. "But we can meet those guidelines by Nov. 9, unless they change again."

Going back to the action item, De Meo sought to modify the proposal to give a target date of Nov. 9 to open with a hybrid model, but the motion died for the lack of a second.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the extension of distance learning with De Meo saying he voted yes in the spirit of showing a united front.

In other action items, the board approved a new temporary position, Online Learning Partner, and approved the first reading of revisions to board policy and administrative regulation.

The trustees also approved resolution No. 03-2021: Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit); the 2020-21 Unaudited Actuals Financial Reports; and the food services student and staff lunch price for the 2020-21 school year.

The board also heard an information item pertaining to the LCAP and approved Resolution No. 04-2021: Sufficiency of Instructional Materials. They also approved a memorandum of understanding with Alpha Omega for the 2020-2021 school year.

The board also unanimously approved consent agenda items that included a personnel report, surplus property, financial reports for July and August, a renewal of a performance agreement with HM Systems Physical Therapy, the certificated personnel: 2020-2021 credential authorizations, an agreement for the transfer of kitchen equipment to Vallecitos Union School District, and revisions to the board policies and administrative regulations.

The board also welcomed two new student representatives for this school year, Paul Ramano of Fallbrook High and Laquan Patrick from Ivy High.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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