By Linda Kor Joseph City School District will delay in-person schooling to an undetermined date as it strives to meet the three categories of criteria presented by the Navajo County Public Health Services for safe school openings. During the school board meeting last week, Public Health Director Jeff Lee was present telephonically and outlined the situation. He explained the three benchmarks to be one, less than 100 cases per 100,000 population for two consecutive weeks; two, the number of tests coming back positive versus how many tests taken; and three is COVID-like illness surveillance, which happens at emergency departments and is a questionnaire that hospitals use as an early indicator of what’s going on in the community. According to Lee, “We are meeting the benchmarks of one and three. The benchmark that is hard for everybody to meet is the percent positivity. We are looking for a number of seven percent or lower for two consecutive weeks and right now we are sitting and 9.9 percent.” The county has begun the process of breaking down population percentage per town compared to the county’s overall percentage with surprising results. “The county’s cities and towns are almost exactly the county average,” stated Lee, adding that shows that the average for the county is a very good indicator of what is going on in each community. Lee explained why opening schools at this point is a concern. “We don’t know a whole lot about what this virus looks like in a group setting for kids. We know that the high-risk population with a school initially is going to be the staff and support staff. We have limited teachers, we have limited support staff, if we have two or three teachers that get COVID, how do we make it through the next couple of weeks while they’re out? “The ultimate risk, if we have a fatality in a school or a school system that happened prior to meeting the benchmarks, the question will be asked why. Why did we feel we could open up earlier when the recommendations from the state were to meet these benchmarks before we bring the kids back? That’s the biggest risk,” explained Lee. The other unknown is what a COVID-flu co-infection look like as flu season begins. “Flu is a little bit more serious in the younger generation. So, we have an immune comprised child with the flu we add COVID on top of it, we don’t really know what that looks like. Those are the top risks to consider when trying to make a decision,” Lee. Repercussions could also include liability to the school. Another unknown is if someone does become ill, what the process would be to ensure the safety of the students and staff. Fields said, “Say we’re testing kids and there’s no fever but a kid develops a fever at 10 o’clock in the morning but he or she has already been in a classroom or at recess and potentially has exposed the entire group. Are we going to be forced by the county to empty out the school? Or encouraged by the county, or our insurance saying we need to do this. Then we have the anxiety of dealing with parents and students not knowing are we going to school today or not going to school today.” He explained that the objective is that once the school opens, to be able to stay open within reason without having to shut down completely again. “I think by putting this off we will have more assurance that when we do open, we will be able to stay open,” stated Fields, adding that he encouraged the board to push the start date from Aug. 17 to a later time after they know more regarding the governor’s guidelines that are to come soon. Following the discussion, the board unanimously approved a resolution directing the superintendent to comply with the Governor’s executive order regarding safe school openings. Fields noted that the district will be open on a limited basis with computer lab, sports, club meetings and the pool starting within reason as long as a waiver is signed. “We’re trying to offer as much as we can within the parameters.” In other business, Fields noted that district has all the supplies such as masks for when the schools open up and that enrollment is down 10 to 15 percent, which will impact funding. He also reported there are several roof projects going on throughout the district at both the elementary and high schools. Joseph City Junior/Senior High School Principal Eric Miller reported that 23 kids have withdrawn from the school, with 15 of those normal withdrawals, due to a family move or transfer to another school and the other eight stated their withdrawal involved COVID, such as a family member with high risk health issues. He said there are about three more students and both the high school and junior high than there were last year. Regarding online instruction, Miller explained that core classes are basically the same curriculum as if in-school, while other courses may have slightly lesser demands. Aids and teachers remain in daily contact with students to ensure they are not falling behind. At the elementary school, Principal Daniel Hutchens explained a similar approach. “All of the teachers will be ‘live’ for about an hour every day teaching lessons. Math two days, reading two days. This will have other activities that the kids can do throughout the day.” It was also noted that the AIA fall sports dates have been pushed back and staggered. Right now, fall sports will begin late this month and the beginning of September. Resident Jodi Balda addressed the board, with a suggestion for pool maintenance. “One of the main problems with the pool that we’ve had with the pool is the heat going out regularly.” She suggested that the district invest in someone on the maintenance crew to be trained or find someone local who can do regular maintenance on the boiler. “It might save us trouble in the future.” Resident Robert Winner also addressed the board, thanking the election committee for their efforts noting, “We had one day of instruction.” He thanked the janitorial staff for setting up and providing extension cords and he thanked the staff and board for their generosity in making it a success. In other business, the board: * Approved the ratification of vouchers and the student activities fund reports. * Approved Bryan Fields, Daniel Hutchens and Eric Miller as qualified evaluators for certified staff. * Approved the resignation of Jeremy Miller as a member of the JCUSD governing board effective July 21. * Approved the fiscal year 2020-21 prices for paid school lunches at $3 full price, 40 cents reduced price and free for those who qualify. * Authorized acceptance of the Arizona SFB grant to fund a professional evaluation assessment of the JCJH and JCHS classroom buildings. * Approved a new assistant coaching position for high school cross country. * Approved class sponsors Laurie Bowler, Jess Bushman, Jeri Edwards, Brad Fischer, Dustin Fish, Andrew Foree, Michael Gayer, Roland Hancock, Aaron Johnstun, Shawn Layden, Adam Neat, Robert Pugh, Kay Rush, Mike Sterkowitz, Jim Stradling, Jean Varney, Anthony Whetten and Shealyn Buckley. * Approved event workers Lance Baldwin, Alyssa Buckley, Shealyn Buckley, Mitchell Farnes, Jennifer Fischer, Brooke Frost, Clarissa Hansen, Lilliam Howerton, Lisa Gayer, Dana Johnstun, Sam Johnstun, Samuel Jordan Johnstun, Kinsley Lampsa, Mary Larsen, Amy Miller, Kylie Miller, Katelyn Pugh, Gayla Smith and Jim Smith. * Approved volunteers Jessi Bushman, Reva Haydukovich and Kinsley Lampsa as JCHS volleyball coaches; Eldon Larson, JCHS football coach; Sara Napa’a, all sports injury prevention/recovery coach; Chay Randles, JCHS softball coach; and Amanda Sander, JCHS softball coach. * Approved the personnel appointments of Bannon Johnstun, Nehemia Balda, Owen Beatty, Bridger Fields, Kate Edwards, Klydie Miller, April Petersen and Hayden Fischer, each as student lifeguards; Taura Dobbs, instructional aide; and Michael Gayer, part-time custodial/asset control coordinator. * Approved the coach appointments of Kristen Beatty, assistant coach JCHS volleyball; Taura Dobbs, junior varsity coach JCHS volleyball; Rolan Hancock, junior varsity Coach I for cross country; Daniel Hutchens, head coach junior high softball; Eric Miller, head coach JCHS football; Zach Miller, assistant coach JCHS softball; and Mary Spurlock, assistant coach JCHS softball. * Approved the textbook and curriculum adoption for English, math, science, French and eighth grade world history. * Approved for first reading Arizona School Boards Association policies pertaining to executive sessions, basic instruction, parent involvement in education, staff personal security and safety, student dress, and visitors to school.
