Maries R-2 sends parents back-to-school safety surveys

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 7/1/20

BELLE — Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham told board members on June 25 that she sent surveys out to district parents and teachers in an effort to determine how they should proceed with fall …

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Maries R-2 sends parents back-to-school safety surveys

Posted

BELLE — Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham told board members on June 25 that she sent surveys out to district parents and teachers in an effort to determine how they should proceed with fall classes.

“I hope everyone has had an opportunity to see those surveys,” Basham said. “We sent one about ‘how did things go’ and ‘what did you think it should look like’ and the last one was ‘we are trying to figure out who might need a device and how many kids might need a device if we have to do the same thing next fall.”

Basham said they asked parents about their views on the matter.

“They are feeling now that it is safe to come out,” she said. “A majority of parents want their kids back in school and want them back in full-time.”

Basham said a few responded that no matter what the school does, they don’t feel that their child will be safe attending.

“We knew that would happen and suspect there will be a 2-3 percent rate of loss for students whose parents decide they are either going to homeschool or prefer a virtual method,” she said. “We are going to have to see how it goes.”

A survey was sent to the teachers last week about what they thought would have to be in place for them to feel safe to return to school.

“I am still compiling those,” Basham said. “When that survey is up, we will go over it with you guys next month.”

As far as teacher/staff resignations go, Basham said they did well in first-year teacher and staff retention.

“Our first-year teachers that we hired last year  — 100 percent of those are coming back,” Basham said. “All of the people we hired last year are coming back, so we had a 100 percent retention rate on both.”

Eight teachers and one administrator have left the district as of July 30, for a loss rate of 12 percent. Only two of the teachers were tenure and one was a retirement.

Changing Board Meeting Dates

Last month the board discussed changing board meetings from the fourth Thursday of the month to the fourth Tuesday of the month. Basham said it was brought to her attention that it should perhaps be the last Tuesday of the month instead.

“I think so,” Director Tom Kinsey said.

Butler asked if they would have to do more readings if they changed the wording to be the last Tuesday of the month instead of the fourth Tuesday. Basham said no.

“All we have been talking about is how we are going to propose that we were moving it. Tonight you get to decide how you actually want it to ready,” she said.

Kinsey made a motion to change the meeting to the last Tuesday of the month. Bret Stratman seconded the motion and Butler asked if there were any other thoughts on the discussion.

“The only thoughts I have are there are extracurricular activities that board members and the community can be at other than sitting in this room,” Kinsey said.

The motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

The next board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on July 28 at the District Administration building.