Horn’s 5th-District feedback on school-opening plan
With an in-person option, a virtual option and a hybrid option of the first two as choices on how Knox County Schools would resume Monday, Aug. 10, which was offered by Knox County Schools superintendent Bob Thomas, Knox County Board of Education Chair Susan Horn, who represents 5th District, said she supports the in-person option — with an online option for parents still afraid to send their children to mingle with scores of other children.
Thomas was expected to present a full plan to the Board at its regular session meeting Wednesday, July 15, which was streamed on BOE’s website at knoxschools.org./kcstv
In discussions among task force members at a meeting when district level staff talked about the three plans, Horn noted, “... I really feel like that’s the best strategy — to have the ability for kids to come to school full time, as normal, and then if parents are not comfortable with that, then they can take advantage of that online option.”
As Knox County Board of Education prepared to unveil the school district’s re-opening plan, Thomas asked for patience during the Board’s workshop Wednesday, July 8.
“As I have said before, our hope is to return to an in-person school setting this fall ‘if’ we can do so by reasonably protecting the health and safety of our students and staff,” he said. “At the same time, we will provide a virtual option for students who are not comfortable returning to school.”
In talking with the core groups most affected by the school re-opening, she noted parents “are anxious for kids to go back to school, and they were happy with the fact that we’re offering a virtual option if they’re not comfortable with in-person (classes).”
Students have told Horn they are eager to return to the classroom. “Without question, that’s the overwhelming response of any students I have spoken with, and many of their parents, are (eager) to get back in school.” she said.
However, teachers and administrators have concerns.
“I think a lot of that concern probably stems from not knowing what the details will be and what school days will actually look like,” Horn said.
“The fact the COVID numbers in Knox County have been going up have been a concern for a lot of teachers,” she added.
However, “I’m encouraged that over the last three days, the new case count numbers have actually dropped, so I’m hopeful that trend will continue, which I think would be a big comfort to teachers,” Horne said.
At the same time, Horn said administrators “feel the weight of knowing that it will be on them to make sure that all of the safety measures that the district expects for them to put in place, that it will be on them to make sure all that happens.
“So, I think that they’re anxious to know details because, of course, they can make sure that they’re planning in a way that they can actually accomplish those goals — the new safety protocols — that the district will have for them,” she added.
During the July 8 workshop, Horn said, “For the most part, our principals would really like to be able to carry out the wishes of the superintendent, so I know that they are anxious about getting those details and making sure that they can actually implement the protocols effectively. I think it will be challenging.
“I think they are probably ready for it, but I think, at the same time, it’s going to be a big job,” she added. “I know people are very anxious … (but) these are very complex issues that the school system is dealing with.”
Terry Hill, 6th District Board member (Hardin Valley area), said people watching July 8 “may be disappointed that more issues were not addressed. ... Please know that as soon as one issue is addressed, it creates two more.”
“There will be many challenges, and I acknowledge, up front, the process may not work perfectly on day one, so please be patient with us as we work toward re-opening,” Thomas urged. “Please know that our educators, principals and central office staff are working extremely hard to make sure the work of teaching and learning goes full speed ahead this fall while also protecting the health and safety of our students, staff and families.
“Over the next few weeks, you’ll be seeing the #KCS Together in many of our communications,” Thomas said. “We’re hoping that hashtag serves as a reminder that the work of education is a shared mission.
“Particularly during these historic times, we need every member of the KCS community to come together and join us in this work,” he said. “I know our students, families and employees have many questions about topics, including social distancing; masks; a virtual learning option; special education; transportation, deployment of Chrome books; student, teacher and staff safety; and what happens if a member of our school community — students, teachers, community — tests positive for COVID-19, among other things.
For anyone unable to attend or watch, he said the school system will be sharing the complete re-opening plan on its website, knoxschools.org, immediately after the meeting.
“We’ll also reach out to families directly with a summary of the plan through voice mail and e-mail,” Thomas added.
Along with Thomas’ report, Community Task Force Chairman Dr. Jerry Askew presented the task force’s findings to Board members.
Knox County Schools sent out a survey to about 77,000 parents, students, teachers and administrators and conducted focus groups with those same stakeholder groups plus one group of children and youth serving partners.
Of about 30,000 surveys that were returned, Askew said “the majority of parents, students and teachers responding preferred that schools re-open with classes taking place in person, as long as appropriate safety measures could be put in place.”
However, of that number “Slightly less than half of administrators preferred that classes take place in person.
Between 31 and 41 percent preferred a hybrid model with in-person and some online classes, and about 11 to 15 percent, preferred all online classes, he reported.
“I can’t imagine the weight of the decisions you are having to make soon,” Askew said. Yet, “If you don’t hear anything else from the task force, I hope you will hear this: ‘Communicate, communicate, communicate, and then when you’re finished communicating, keep communicating with our parents, our teachers and myriad other stakeholders.’
“There is nothing more important … than the well-being of our kids,” he said. “Ambiguity is the enemy.”
“And, as this rolls forward, those communicative steps will be important to get people to come on board,” 3rd District Board member Tony Norman said.
Tonya Cotes, president of Knox County Education Association, also asked for communication, as well as transparency.
“I’m very grateful for the thousands who responded to our survey; the dozens of teachers, principals, students, parents and non-profit partners who participated in our focus groups; and the leaders who served on our community task force,” Thomas said. “Your input is very essential.”
