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BERGHOLZ-- The Edison Local Board of Education held its final session for 2020 with remote learning and busing issues topping the list of discussion.
The school district entered into fully remote learning on Wednesday due to COVID cases and quarantines and the plan will remain in place until students return from their holiday break on Jan. 4, while leaders discussed the move during its regular meeting on Wednesday at John Gregg Elementary.
"We based it on the number of positive cases and quarantines, and I think at the end of the day it was a good decision because during the last three days numbers increased," said Superintendent Bill Beattie. "Hopefully, everyone will stay safe so they can come back to school in January."
The district was able to go virtual after receiving nearly $151,000 in BroadbandOhio Connectivity funds to extend wireless capabilities outside of Edison High School, Stanton Elementary, John Gregg and into the community so its 1,382 students can access work assignments. Network infrastructure was expanded at all three buildings with external wireless access points, giving Wi-Fi access to the parking lots and grassy areas so students can visit the buildings after hours to connect and complete their work.
Additionally, Wi-Fi has been installed on Edison's fleet of 17 buses so students can complete work while being transported to and from school, plus the vehicles can park at various locations in the rural area for use during virtual learning. In that instance, parents can drive to the sites and connect the student devices to them for Internet access. All of the district's pre-K-12 students are assigned a 1-to-1 device with Wi-Fi capabilities, but the lack of broadband infrastructure has limited access, leading to the district's upgrades to ensure a seamless transition for face-to-face and remote learning. Students will continue their studies with Google Classroom and other digital resources while learning with their teacher.
Bus hotspots and meals are being offered to the pupils and locations include Lake Lodge Trailer Court, Pleasant Hill Trailer Court, Amsterdam Church of God, Smitty's Old School, Empire Methodist Church, Irondale Methodist Church, Bergholz Volunteer Fire Department and Pine Grove Methodist Church, while breakfast and lunch are available from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meal locations only with Internet access points include Hilltop Church, East Springfield Church of the Cross and the three schools from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. while parking lot Internet access is offered 24/7 at the three school buildings, Bell Chapel Church, Two Ridge Presbyterian Church, East Springfield Church of God and Smitty's Old School. Information, including remote schedules, is listed on the district website at www.edisonwildcats.org.
As surrounding schools continue to operate with a blend of in-person, hybrid and remote learning, Edison leaders said the district's decision was the right thing to do. Board member Ron Smyth said he believes in the importance of academics and school safety and the district made the correct choice.
"I'm thankful you are doing what you're doing to move ahead," he said. "You guys have done an outstanding job. If it's the right time, it's the right time."
Board member Scott Lockhart referred to a call by the Ohio Education Association for schools to close down until Jan. 11, which would provide extra quarantine time following the holiday break. He asked officials for their thoughts and Beattie said for now, he still hoped to see Edison students return on Jan. 4.
John Gregg Principal Tammy Burchfield noted in her report that teachers and staff have been working hard to maintain the students' education.
"Today was our first day of remote learning, and it was an independent study day. Early this morning, more than half of the fifth- and sixth-graders were online doing work. I don't think we could have been any more prepared than we have been. It's not going to be 100 percent, but I feel a majority is ready to go. I feel it's a journey for many of us and some are stepping way outside of their comfort box. I think it's scary, it's stressful, but it's the unknown … but it will be OK," she said, commending Beattie, Assistant Superintendent Julie Kireta and Administrative Assistant Fatima Smuck. "I don't think we would be where we are without their direction right now."
Meanwhile, Kireta added that she reviewed the school buildings that day and believed teachers were ready to go remote.
"There are a lot of unknowns out there, but there were a lot of kids logged on early to work today and we are keeping track."
Another topic on official's list was the Dec. 1 collapse of a bridge along Jefferson County Road 164 at Bergholz, which ultimately led to some quick rerouting of school buses. District Transportation Director Joe DeBold said school was not in session when the incident occurred but he had to create alternative routes to ensure students could still be transported. The change has resulted in an extra 15 or 20 minutes on the road for students heading to EHS and John Gregg.
"We got the high school bus in the morning and (the driver) drops it off to me seven minutes early to get the JVS and Christian school bus going, and it gives him a 10-to-12-minute window to utilize for the grade school," DeBold explained. "It's working very well and the high school has been accommodating. They wait for 40 kids for about 12 or 14 minutes."
During discussion, DeBold said five school buses had crossed the bridge four times a day and he heard some concerns about the span, but it was inspected prior to the collapse. He also had been in touch with Jefferson County ODOT officials and did not have details on a target date for replacement, but he planned to have more information for the next meeting in January.
He also is working on another plan to use main routes as a last resort should he face a shortened staff of drivers.
"We're also looking at main route busing and using county and state roads," he said. "If we have a large group of drivers off, it really speeds up transit. A route that takes one hour and 20 minutes now takes 45 minutes."
For now, three potential drivers were completing testing, Frank Martin was approved as a retire/rehire and he also was working to add several others. Edison recently increased its pay rate to $15.25 per hour for substitute drivers and anyone interested can contact the district office at (740) 282-0065.