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EAST PALESTINE -- How to best fulfill the need of online students in the wake of February's Norfolk Southern train derailment was the main topic at the East Palestine Board of Education meeting held Monday at the elementary school.
The board has three options to consider -- credit flexibility, blended learning or the creation of a separate online school within the district. Each option comes with challenges and the board is taking all three under consideration with a decision to come at a later date. Credit flexibility requires individualized programs for all virtual students. Blended learning requires 910 instructional hours with 51 percent of learning to take place on campus. The online school requires the establishment of what would essentially be a fourth school within the district and would require the district to provide at its expense laptop and internet access for each student enrolled. The district also has a July deadline to register a separate online school with the state. The board and Superintendent Chris Neifer intend to explore all avenues before making a decision.
"Right now, we're keeping all options open and stay tuned for more information," Neifer said. "We don't know what solution is best for our students right now. I am really leaning against an online school, but I don't want to lose the 50 or 60 families we have with online students either. We have to make the decision that's best for our students and we still have a little bit of time to weigh the options."
Neifer also reported to the board that he is pleased with the preliminary state test scores in the district.
"Our scores look good, especially considering everything our kids went through this year," he said. "The fact that our students performed well just a few months after what happened, it's really a testament to our students and our staff."
The board also received an update on upcoming dates important within the district. Neifer reminded the board the National Travel Safety Board will be utilizing campus buildings for the planned investigative meetings on June 22 and 23 as well as a community meeting on the evening of June 21. Neifer said that NTSB will be at the school from June 17 through June 24.
The district will also take part in the village's Day of Service set for June 17 as well as serve as the starting point for this weekend's recovery race that benefits youth initiatives in East Palestine. Neifer told the board that 45 percent of the proceeds or approximately $80,000 will be injected into the district with robotics, drama/band, athletics and the mentorship program all earmarked to share those funds. It was also announced that the Back to School Bash will be held Aug. 12 and that more groups than usual have signed up to participate in the annual event.
In other news, the board approved several donations, including several from Norfolk Southern, as well a donation from The Brightside Project that helped pay off the school lunch balance.
The board also approved several personnel decisions, approving one-year contracts, summer workers accepting resignation and welcoming new staff members to the Bulldog family.
In business matters, the board approved several operational matters and approved an agreement to purchase one school bus. Also passed were memorandums of understanding with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees regarding overnight bus trips, dual-position employees and paid holidays.
The next board meeting will be held July 10 in the elementary school library.
selverd@mojonews.com