R-II Board Amends Plan; Creates Position
from staff reports
During the regular Jan. 18 board meeting, the Ste. Genevieve R-II Board of Education voted to amend the 2021-22 Reopening Plan, amend the 2022-23 calendar, and create a new “deputy superintendent” position.
The board also reviewed recent standardized test performances.
REOPENING PLAN
IS UPDATED
Updates to the 2021-2022 Reopening Plan were approved, including the strongly encouraged continued use of face coverings for students, employees, and visitors on campus during school hours.
Other changes include updated protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding isolation periods for individuals who test positive for COVID-19.
Students, teachers and staff who test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms should isolate and not come to school/work for at least five days. If they continue to remain asymptomatic, they can end isolation and return to school/work after at least five days, but should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others until day 10. If they are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should not come to school or work for the full 10 days.
If they develop symptoms after testing positive, the five-day isolation period should start over.
The district will continue to monitor local conditions, including positivity rates, and may return to a more strict stance if circumstances warrant such a decision.
In addition, the district’s COVID-19 webpage will now link to the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department’s dashboard. While the district continues to monitor students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 or who are identified as close contacts, consistently sharing the current number of positive cases could more easily identify those individuals with these new isolation protocols in place.
PROPOSED CALENDAR
FOR 2022-2023.
Dr. Julie Flieg, superintendent, presented a draft copy of the 2022-2023 School Calendar. The members of the Calendar Committee will present a final copy of the calendar to the Board of Education for approval at the regularly scheduled meeting in February. The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 and the end of first semester – Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Classes resume Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.
The last day of school will be Friday, May 19, 2023. There are five scheduled make-up days – May 22 through May 26, 2023.
Graduation will be Saturday, May 20, 2023.
NEW POSITION IS CREATED
Flieg announced her decision to retire with an effective date of June 30, 2023. (See separate story.) To ensure a seamless transition to a new superintendent, the board created a deputy superintendent of schools position for one year.
The purpose of the deputy superintendent position will be to provide an effective training and transition period. The individual in this position will work closely with Flieg, other area superintendents and state organizations to learn the various roles and responsibilities of the superintendent position.
The deputy superintendent position will also manage all aspects of the April 5, 2022, bond issue if, or when, it passes, to ensure the district’s new superintendent is prepared to effectively manage bond issues and new construction moving forward.
The deputy superintendent will, over time, assume the responsibilities of the superintendent. During closed session, Dr. Paul Taylor, assistant superintendent, was named to the new position.
The deputy superintendent will serve as the superintendent in the absence of the superintendent; provide leadership and direction to all departments to ensure alignment and attainment of the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan goals and strategies; represent the Superintendent, as appropriate, at official school and community functions; communicate with the school board and the community regarding district programs; ensures compliance with state and federal regulations; administer the school district’s budget; provide effective administration of all schools and departments; and provide educational leadership throughout the school system and community.