Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Logan school board members and superintendent Dennis Roch last week talked about the imminent return of almost all students to in-person classes that was announced earlier that day by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
Education Secretary Ryan Stewart announced all public schools in the state could fully reopen campuses April 5 with the goal of having teachers vaccinated for COVID-19 by that time.
The state is phasing out hybrid-learning models that combine in-person and remote learning in favor of full-time classroom instruction. Students who choose remote learning can continue it.
In a follow-up email Thursday to the Quay County Sun, Roch said 12 Logan students have chosen to return to in-person learning and 17 opted for remote learning for the rest of the school year.
Roch told the board during its meeting that the district was uniquely positioned to make the PED’s changes with little disruption. He estimated the number of children returning to campus would required just one additional desk per classroom and still would maintain social distancing.
“This plan is going to have less impact on Logan than anyone I’ve talked to or heard about,” he said.
Roch also noted a subtle loosening of health requirements at schools. He said staff and students are still required to use social distancing “to the extent possible.” Masks still are required for students and staff.
He also said PED stated an “expectation of all students will be on campus by April 5,” which he interpreted as just short of an order.
He said any school employee who is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no longer will be subject to surveillance testing of the virus or quarantined after possible exposure.
Roch said the middle-school and high-school students who returned to campus last month are “responding very well” to in-person instruction and, in some cases, more discipline.
“It’s brought structure to kids who feel freer at home,” he said.
In other business:
• During his superintendent’s report, Roch said a variety of education funding bills are advancing through the New Mexico Legislature. He said supports a “hold harmless” bill that would keep district funding near previous levels and not penalize them with fewer dollars because of enrollment declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have to have funding certainty,” he said.
Roch said Logan’s enrollment fell about 8% during the pandemic. He said Logan has a “healthy enough” cash balance to weather a funding decline, and such a scenario wouldn’t affect staffing levels.
• Roch said it appeared the Legislature would approve 1.5% salary increases for teachers, which would be enough to cover health insurance increases, before its session ends March 20. “We want to make sure we protect take-home pay,” he said.
• Athletic director Billy Burns said those who paid for a subscription to view Logan sports games on the internet also would be allowed to attend games in person free of charge. A limited number of spectators were allowed at games starting March 4 after it appeared no fans would be allowed during the resumption of condensed football and volleyball seasons.
• The board approved the renewal of an agreement with Clayton Municipal Schools that allows a student who lives barely across the Clayton district line in southern Union County to attend Logan schools.
• The board approved nominations for the Excellence in Student Achievement Award. The identities of those nominated were not discussed. Roch stated in a follow-up email to the Quay County Sun “the board chose a group of individuals to honor with this year’s award, but they want to keep the selection quiet until the presentation is made.”