A screenshot of Thursday night’s business meeting.
The verdict may still be out on the exact impact the pandemic is having on the education of the area’s youth, but one thing is for certain: it is not a good one.
According to a recent press release by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, a nearly $1 million federal grant will be used to study the direct impact of COVID-19 on the state’s K through 12 educational system.
With a goal to “recommend educational strategies to help students and schools move forward,” the state will use the funds to better understand the direct effect the pandemic has had on the children of Pennsylvania.
“Our school communities and families have remained resilient during the pandemic, and we are thankful for their ability to pivot throughout the challenges we have faced,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “The ability for us to examine inequities in education will help us create responsive teaching and learning opportunities in future years.”
Pennsylvania is one of seven states awarded the two-year grant, according to the release. The state’s Department of Education is partnering with Mathematica to conduct the research, the results of which will be released late next year.
With no time to waste, the North Penn Board of School Directors did not want to wait that long to take action. Instead, the board moved Thursday night to approve all summer 2021 programs to assist the area’s students now.
While no comments or questions were raised in the motion, which was made by Board Director Jonathan Kassa, and seconded by Board Director Timothy McBain, the motion to approve summer programs was quickly and unceremoniously approved unanimously.
However, Board Director Al Roesch did not feel comfortable leaving it at that.
Proposing a “motion following a motion,” Roesch said that no fees should be incurred while families find methods of catching up their North Penn students.
“The pandemic has created and widened certain achievement gaps for students,” he said. “Because of these gaps, summer school fees must be waived so students and families of our community have no obstacles in getting essential educational supports.”
The director went on to say that any fees that would be charged should be covered easily by federal funding, instead of coming from the pockets of North Penn families.
“This is exactly the type of relief the federal funds are meant for, student learning, front-moving spending on students, and addressing the equity gaps,” said Roesch. “I make a motion to waive all fees [for the] 2021 summer school program.”
The motion was quickly seconded by Board Director Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell.
No additional comments or questions were raised, and the motion to make summer programs free of charge was unanimously passed.
See also:
North Penn High School Addresses Families After 6 Students Recently Test Positive For COVID-19
Editorial: Infrastructure Repairs At North Penn High School Are Necessary
North Penn School Board, Rep. Ciresi Discuss Charter School Reform
North Penn School Board Issues Statement Supporting Asian American, Pacific Islander Communities
North Penn School Board Appoints Dr. D’Ana Waters As Assistant Superintendent
