Board debates makeup days and e-learning after icy-weather closures; trustees seek clearer communication for families

Board members and staff spent a substantial portion of the Feb. 9 meeting reviewing the district's response to icy roads, including the decision to use a three-hour delay on certain days and a district makeup day scheduled for Feb. 16.

Superintendent Robert Fitzpatrick said safety guided the decision-making and explained that the district used a three-hour delay because temperatures were expected to rise above freezing; he said the aim is to get students in face-to-face instruction whenever possible. "E-learning, of course, is not optimal for student learning...it has student success. It's optimal to be in school with a teacher," Fitzpatrick said. Board members raised concerns about students who rely on buses when routes are impassable and parents who cannot transport children to school; Fitzpatrick clarified that if buses could not run due to icy roads, those student absences would be excused.

Trustee Johnny Surratt Jr. criticized the quality and structure of some e-learning assignments: "What I don't like about e-learning days, the people that we are paying are sending out assignments and sitting on the couch," he said, calling some remote assignments "busy work." Trustees and staff discussed improving district notifications and considered an after-hours phone line or emergency live-chat option so parents can reach staff during closures or delay decisions. No policy vote was taken; staff said they will review the communications process and take lessons learned into future planning.