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Jan. 11, 2021, SSD200 Board meeting
The Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education met Monday, Jan. 11, for a work session in the Heckart Performing Arts Center at Smith-Cotton High School. Board Member Michael Stees joined virtually.
The board approved the calendar for the 2021-22 school year; teachers return to work on Aug, 24, while the first student day is Sept. 1 and final student day is May 25. The calendar includes a full week Spring Break in March 2022. Also, the board was made aware of a change to the agreement with Midwest Computech, which was amended to address the pending departure of IT Director Chance Anderson.
Superintendent Steve Triplett discussed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which was put in place last year but expired on Dec. 31. The act provided employees with pay relief if they needed to take time off due to COVID-19. Triplett asked the board to extend granting the relief through the end of the fiscal year, noting that he is not aware of any district that is not extending the program. Triplett also requested that the superintendent be given final say on whether the paid leave is approved, saying those who continually fail to follow COVID health guidelines should not be rewarded for their actions. Board Member Matthew Herren said the district could open itself up to lawsuits if it discriminates against individuals; Triplett agreed, saying documentation would be needed and that there are guidelines in place for approval of all paid leave.
Assistant Superintendent Jason Curry provided the COVID-19 update, saying the district is in good shape coming off of the winter break, when an uptick in cases was expected. Curry said the extended break allowed some who tested positive to log all of their required quarantine time. Pettis County’s positivity rate for the virus remains above the state average. The BinaxNOW antigen tests are available; students will only be tested if 1) they are symptomatic; 2) their parent/guardian has completed and turned in the permission form; and 3) upon contact from district personnel, a parent/guardian agrees to allow the test to be performed on the student. The district nursing staff is on the Phase 1A waiting list for COVID-19 vaccinations; other school staff fall under Phase 1B, which is expected to start in February.
Also Monday:
-- The board approved a phone service contract for the Loftus Early Childhood Center.
-- The board acknowledged a $750 donation from IBT Industrial Services to help cover costs of eye exams for students in need. This will help district social workers then get students fitted for glasses through approved Medicaid funding.
-- The Sedalia School District Foundation has more than $60,000 in scholarships available to Class of 2021 seniors. The scholarship application is due Feb. 10.
-- Board President Dr. Jeff Sharp acknowledged Triplett being named as the West Central district’s Emerging Superintendent for 2021.