Thread by @WilliamsonStrg

Back at it, starting a new thread for #wcsb hour #2.

Voting to approve tonight's agenda. 12-0. #wcsb

Voting to approve consent agenda (items they don't individually vote on, lumped in as a package): 12-0. #wcsb

Super. report: Thanks community for coming out, example of what's great about our country. Has oppty to speak to us. Encourage individuals to communicate with Board and district about opinions on issues, we're a service organization.

Golden: safety protocol update inc masks. You all know announced last Thurs not asking board to extend reopening framework from last July. Determined when school lets out at end of day Friday, no need to continue mask requirement in schools and spoke in detail about it then

Golden: encourages ppl to watch work session recording for the details. Masks were part of what was put in place last July. CDC recommended schools require them in order to return to campus.

Golden: determined that need will be gone, recognize that is not soon enough for some but it's also too early for others. CDC is still recommending they be required, but 95% of our students won't be on campus this summer - social distancing challenges will be gone

Golden: #1, we are not administering a vaccine to any of our students. We sent a survey after health dept asked us if there was interest, got a significant response of yes's in the 1,000s and did an analysis in community, but already 44 different vaccination sites so no need.

Golden: haven't ever required anyone to take the vaccine or even implied that we were requiring it so want to make that clear.

Golden: we haven't received anything from the state saying or suggesting it to us about requiring vaccines. No one from state health dept has indicated to us that it's a requirement. Whatever is out there online has not been directed at us. Vaccines are optional.

Golden: had great curriculum discussion at work session. as noted, this isn't a new discussion - been since beginning of time. Policies have been put in place over the decades related to that. Thanks Dr. Allen and his staff for their discussions.

Golden: Dr. Allen & staff have been reviewing ELA curriculum and working on appropriate developments which will be communicated in June as previously stated. Will be professional in everything we do serving students and do right by them.

Golden: it's hard for parents of 40k students to agree, which is also not a new issue for school boards. Parents do have an oppt to opt out as per policy b/c we recognize everyone's opinion can differ. Very proud of what we do to serve students & help them grow.

Golden: in these times it's more critical to keep constant attention on materials students have, with internet access, apps. Constantly evolving. news apps updated daily...monitoring is an important element for teachers to focus on. Have a really good professional staff.

Golden: Fostering Healthy Solutions (FHS) update. We have heard from our families both needs & fears about where we're going. We're driving our work with our community's needs, we don't have a national agenda in mind. Want our students to feel safe. #wcsb

Golden: Fosters have held 6 of 9 listen & learn sessions with 100 available spots at each session, have had somewhere around 250 total participants. Invite anyone to come share experiences & concerns at remaining sessions. #wcsb

Golden: Fosters reviewing student handbook to give new perspective, and have received the survey data. Expected to see results in next couple of weeks. We won't make decisions w/out the Board leading - you're our leaders. they are NOT writing curriculum. We are not promoting CRT

Golden: focused on grade-level appropriate materials. Participate in one of 3 final sessions or if you have thoughts, send us an email and we'll forward to Fosters.

Golden: final item - graduation ceremonies are this week! Excited and nervous about it, being held outside. Watching weather projections closely. So, so proud the work our teachers have done. WCEA has a great team and so grateful for good working relationship with them.

Garrett: Mr. Cash has a question, she reminds him he has up to 10 mins for a question per Robert's Rules.

Cash: on the curriculum, it's mentioned quite often about opting children out. How does that make these children feel? In my opinion, they're going to go into another room with another book and little fellas in grade school wonder why they're being punished.

Cash: I don't think that helps the situation. 2nd question is re: FHS surveys. Are Board members going to be able to read the surveys when they come back? Golden: we provided #'s at the work session, few thousand from each respondent group. Defers to Vicki Hall: you will have...

Hall: ....an aggregate or you can request all the raw data if that's something you want. You'll be able to see every comment that was made on the surveys.

Galbreath: comment to the crowd. Very good to see 150+ ppl, standing room only in here. Question for Golden, it's masks optional in here - so what's rationale for continuing mandate for the rest of the 4 days given that?

Golden: opinions of community run the gamut. As you recall from work session discussion, #1 we set our plan to be on campus the Board knew it included mask requirements. Important to follow CDC guidelines that we could feasibly follow and knew we couldn't socially distance kids

Golden: those CDC recommendations are still in place. Consistently to follow health authority language. We can't socially distance this week with all students on campus. Asks Gary Anderson (covid response director) to comment...

Anderson: sticking with Board approved plan. Didn't want to make adjustments during test times and not make big changes to interrupt what's going on in the classroom this last week of school. Garrett reprimands someone who boo's loudly after that.

[have to wrap this up for now, apologies all....will be better technically prepared next time!] #babysteps