FUHSD board votes to extend distance learning until second semester

The Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees voted Monday, Oct. 26 to extend distance learning through the remainder of the first semester and the final grading period, which means students would return to campus in a hybrid model on Jan. 4, 2021.

Prior to the meeting, at least one parent spoke in favor of opening the school to students immediately.

Superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez gave the presentation on the proposal, which asked the board to approve as it was presented.

"The California Department of Public Health framework details when and how schools should open for in-person instruction," she said. "In accordance with this guidance, school districts may only reopen for in-person instruction in the county in which the school district operates has been off the CDPH monitoring list. San Diego County was removed from the state monitoring for many in-person classes. The district would like to extend its distance learning for all students through the remainder of the first semester and final grading period. Which would be through Dec. 18, 2020 and reopen for the second semester which would be Jan. 4, 2021 in a hybrid setting if department of public health guidelines allow.

"As the fluidity of the COVID situation continues, we will evaluate and monitor safety for all students and staff which continues to be our priority."

"Again, I just want to go over this, as I read it's basically saying that we would extend distance learning to the end of the semester but will reopen in the hybrid setting in the next semester as long as county guidelines allow. Is that correct?" Trustee Lee De Meo asked.

"Yes," Garza-Gonzalez said.

"I do think that needs to be the goal, I said this last time," De Meo said. "I do think the risk is quite low for students, however there is a risk there. I think it's prudent that we do extend at this point. But, we're coming to a point again, by next year, we ought to be open at least in hybrid. There's too many other bad things that happen with our kids not being able to socialize and be together in school."

Board President Diane Summers asked about at-risk students. Garza-Gonzalez said students with low grades will come back to campus as part of an after school program in the second week of November.

De Meo requested that parents have input into reopening plans for the school.

"We will be asking parents if they are going to choose to keep their students in a distance learning model or if they're going to do a hybrid model," Garza-Gonzalez said. "Again as I stated at that particular board meeting that you're referring to, I don't believe in asking parents what choice they prefer if that choice is not available."

She said the district would be sending out that question in November, well ahead of January.

The board of trustees also unanimously approved an action item reducing the number of volunteer hours required by students to graduate in the classes of 2021 through 2024 due to the effects of COVID-19.

Garza-Gonzalez explained that the requirement was lowered in the spring and encouraged a reduction again.

"The state of California and the California Department of Public Health have continued to monitor counties and establish guidelines. As a result, many community service opportunities that in the past were available to our students are not currently possible," Garza-Gonzalez said. "Following the decision made for the second semester of the 2019-20 school year, the board of trustees should reduce the community service requirement by an additional five hours for the class of 2021, 2022, and 2023 and by five hours for the class of 2024. Community service graduation requirements would be 30 hours for the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 and 35 hours for the class of 2024."

"It's just about impossible for these kids to do it at this time, so it makes sense," Summers said.

"A question I have is what if it still is a senior and has not kept up with their hours and they still need 30 to graduate what happens there?"

"The board determined that community service is a graduation requirement so the board would have to decide if they are going to keep a student from earning a high school diploma due to not meeting the graduation requirement of community service or if they're going to waive the requirement altogether," Garza-Gonzalez said.

"This is okay for right now but let's reevaluate it because I think it's going to be a problem for a lot of students," Summers said. "At this time, we feel like the five hours makes sense."

The board also approved the second reading of revised board policies and administrative regulations, and approved the investment options for the Solar Photovoltaic/Battery Project.

The trustees also heard information about new courses – Advisory, The Write of Your Life, APEX Statistics – which will be presented in a first reading to the board in a future meeting.

The board also heard Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan recommendations from FUHSD Director of Education Services Emily Toone.

The board also approved the consent agenda, which included the approval of the board policy on IPP Education for Children Residing on Indian Lands, the purchase of iPads for the science department, the purchase of digital access to social studies textbooks, approved a contract with San Diego County Office of Education for services for migrant students for the 2020-2021 school year, approved the financial reports for June, July and September 2020, and approved the variable term adaptive PE waiver for Melissa Maultsby to teach Adaptive PE at Fallbrook High.

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