Sending children to school while sick hurts attendance

Dr. Kirk Munsayac attended Monday’s Board of Education meeting and rekindled an old concern among the medical community about parents sending sick children to school, leading to the spread of the illnesses among other children.
While Munsayac praised the school system’s efforts that have resulted in “great strides in truancy,” he said that, sadly, there are parents sending their children to school when sick so their children can earn the rewards given them for perfect attendance.
While no decision was reached, the board and Superintendent Chris Roppe seemed in support of Dr. Munsayac’s suggestion that a system be worked out where doctor-excused absences would not be counted against students in their quest for perfect attendance.
Board Chairman Roger Ogilvie suggested that the board get people together to study it along with community doctors and get back together later with a recommendation.
Assistant Superintendent Chuck Crosby reviewed with the board extensive facilities improvements, primarily in fencing, land clearing and drainage improvements. The land clearing and drainage will allow for the development of additional practice facilities as the current facilities cannot fully accommodate the sports programs, especially with the addition of soccer programs. It will also address the critical need for additional tennis courts for the high and middle school programs.
The fencing improvements are for safety purposes.
Crosby added that the football field concession stand renovation is completely finished and is working well both for the public and the Band Boosters who operate the concession stand.
Future plans include replacing the softball field press box windows and installing canopies at the high school and middle school softball fields, and the elementary school.
In other action, the board ….
…. heard an explanation about the school nutrition bid system from School Nutrition Director Janice Conley.
…. approved entering into a contract with ESS Energy Management of Albany to update the outdated HVAC systems in the schools.
…. approved a high school basketball team trip to Charleston, S.C.
…. agreed to allow Family Connection to use school facilities for its Team Maze project to work with students.
…. heard financial updates.
…. met in closed session to discuss personnel and compensation.
…. accepted the resignation of Gabriella Lopez.
…. approved recommendations to hire wrestling community coach James Sellers, Pre-K teacher Brittany Willis, Pre-K special education teacher Lucy Worthington, Pre-K paraprofessional Cassandra Dukes and bus drivers Betty Miller and Portia Capers.
…. approved a salary scale for facilities, maintenance and transportation.
…. approved the board training plan for FY2020.
…. set a called meeting for Sept. 19 to set the tax millage rate.