Millbrook schools to reopen online only

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Board of Education (BOE) met on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to discuss reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The staff, including Superintendent of Schools Laura Mitchell, Assistant Superintendents Caroline Pidala and Brian Fried, and High School Principal Eric Seipp, Middle School Principal Steven Cabello and Alden Place Elementary Principal Thomas Libka along with Director of Technology Elliot Garcia, presented detailed plans with schedules for the opening of the school year, if the school went hybrid.

Plans were presented for each school building, which consisted of changing schedules for the students; one group would attend school in person on Monday and Tuesday; the other group would attend in person on Thursday and Friday.   

When not attending classes in person, they would be learning from home remotely. No students would attend school on Wednesday and the schools would be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, as they would be each night. Lunches would be brought to the classrooms to avoid having to change rooms and exposing children to large areas such as a gym or auditorium; possibly screens will be used to provide areas for more than one subject to be taught at a time. 

Teachers would move about rather than the students. Virtual, hybrid or in-school models all require the teachers to be in the schools, although if needed, they could teach from their homes in certain circumstances, according to the BOE. 

Working closely with the bus company, First Student, buses would be scheduled to arrive throughout the school day. For some it would end earlier, allowing for less student capacity on the buses. School would resume after allowing students time to be transported home and resume their school day online. 

Most board members agreed that not having students in school is not ideal, and that while they deserve the best education they also deserve to be kept safe.

Superintendent Mitchell said that an opening schedule could be worked out to allow for extra time, using the first days as “Superintendent Days.” 

She said she has been listening to everyone: teachers, parents and students. Parents had opportunity to weigh in during three special BOE meetings; parent surveys were also conducted.

There are concerns about issues like how attendance will be checked, how homework will be monitored, how subjects like physical education, art and music will be taught. Other questions centered on testing and contact tracing, which the district included in its plans, but which would like more guidance from the state. The BOE added the staff will take temperatures when people enter the school buildings, masks and social distancing will be required, and there will be decals on the floors to help with social distancing. Additionally, only two students will be allowed at a time in the restrooms.

Other issues arose during the discussion related to remote learning, including abuse. How can students’ mental and physical well-being be monitored? It was reiterated that students need the social aspect of attending school in person; it was also said that younger students might be harder to manage with masks and social distancing. Asked about IEP (individual education plans), these students’ needs would be prioritized and the system would do more to help the parents of these students cope. Special education students and programs are also covered in the plans.

Among the questions posed was if a household has more than one child, could their schedules be synchronized? They were assured the district would try. Other questions concerned internet availability; it was noted that broadband has been greatly expanded for Millbrook residents, and teachers have received extra training. 

When BOE President Perry Hartswick called for a vote on whether there should be a hybrid opening or a virtual or online reopening, the final vote was five to two in favor of a virtual reopening. The staff was assured that their work in planning a physical reopening was not done in vain and may be used at a later time.

The Millbrook Central School District will reopen virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and run online through October, at which time the district will reassess the situation and the need to continue with virtual learning or if students can return to campus. 

In the meantime, parents may access meetings via Zoom on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m. or from 1 to 2 p.m. Check the website at www.millbrookcsd.org for further information and the instructions to gain access to the meetings.