Here is the response received from Matt Lamb, school board president for Oakfield-Alabama for the questions we sent each individual board member of the school district. Lamb said this served as a group response. A group response was not an option given to the school board members.
The school board members who failed to provide their own responses:
- Timothy Edgerton
- Lorna Klotzbach
- Matt Lamb
- Justin Staebell
- Jackie Yunker Davis
- Pete Zeliff
- Daniel Groth
"The OACS school board fully supports our district's reopening plan. The plan originated from a district survey that went to all families. The survey indicated that 84% of our families would approve of the decision to send their children back to school to resume full-time, in person instruction. The administrative team concluded that our facilities have the space necessary to meet the 6 foot physical distancing guideline within the classrooms while the students receive their instruction, making the request of the families of our district possible. The committee that helped form our plan included administrative staff, teachers, students and parents of the district.
I'm happy to say most parent feedback went directly to our Superintendent and the building Principals. However, to your question, we'd mention that at our last board meeting some families asked to speak in our public comment section and expressed their approval and gratitude to the district for our plan.
We'd also like to acknowledge the flexibility within the plan. It is important to the board that families have the option to learn remotely if their concerns could not be alleviated by the district's plan. Our school is accommodating those families that aren't ready to send their children into our facilities. Should these families reconsider their decision, there is also a re-entry plan for students who have chosen the remote option.
Our board is incredibly appreciative to all who made themselves available to help write the reopening plan, and also to all of the district employees who will be implementing the plan. We are excited to get the kids back in school, but at the same time, understand the anxieties this brings to both families and staff. We expect the plan to remain fluid and for our administrative team to continue to make themselves available to hear the concerns of families and staff. We wish everyone the best of health as we get back to the business of the education of the students of our district."
