Faculty Focus
From Your Principal, Mrs. Pass
There are many changes coming soon. I am working together with many different teams to make sure the building is as safe as it can be for you and the kids to come back.
The district is working hard on a re-entry plan and trying to take everything into consideration. We have created committees in the areas of:
Readiness for Intermittent School Closure
Instructional Design Plan
Assessment and Grading Plan
Curriculum and Expectations Plan
Healthy and Safe at Schools Plan
Professional Learning for Staff Plan
Communication Plan
Transportation Plan
Personnel Plan
The district leaders have been working on a proposed calendar to be approved by the board that will try to get students back to school as soon as possible and also allow time for staff to prepare as much as possible. This should be going before the board next week. The committees should be reporting next week and the goal is to have a plan communicated by July 17th. This being said, this is all tentative and subject to change.
I can promise you that as soon as I know things for sure, I will be ready to share them with you. I know you are anxiously awaiting some of the changes and information about the school year. I appreciate all the planning teachers do during the summer- it was not that long ago I was developing units for new novels sitting by the pool! I will keep you as informed as possible!
From Mr. Sheehy with HR
I send this email in the hopes that it will help answer some of your questions as we move to re-open schools. This information applies to both certified and classified employees. Keep in mind that all employees who are under contract with the District are required to report to work when school re-opens just as you would in any other year. If you cannot report you are required to enter your absence in Frontline (Aesop) just as you would any other time.
To the best of my knowledge, this is what we know about employee options when we go back to school:
· SB 177 expires today (6/30/2020). This special amendment gave districts the authority to expand both the reasons for using Emergency Days to include COVID related reasons, and the authority to grant more emergency days than three (3). This is how the Board granted the four paid days at the end of 2019-2020. (No longer applicable)
· The Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) gives employees the ability to use up to 80 hours of Emergency Paid Sick Leave, above what KRS 161.155 provides, and Emergency Family Medical Leave if you meet the qualifications. This legislation expires 12/31/2020. When FFCRA was enacted this past spring, many employees used up all the paid leave that this Act provided. But for those that didn’t you will still be able to use all or whatever portion is left by 12/31/2020 if you qualify. (See COVID-19 Info on the HR page of the District Website https://www.boone.kyschools.us/Administration/16)
· Regular FMLA may be available if one has a “serious health condition”. An employer may (and we do) request that a health care provider complete a form describing the serious health condition. FLMA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off. It also protects the employee’s job and health benefits for those twelve weeks. (Employee should contact Tina Herbert, HR Administrative Assistant, for info and forms)
· Other than the above, the standard leave statutes and policies apply (sick leave, personal leave, vacation, unpaid time off), as do the reasons you can use them.
There is nothing coming out of Frankfort, or Washington for that matter, about employees when school re-opens. But we will keep our HR radar up and running and be sure to advise should we hear of anything relevant to the matter.
Thank you.
A Note on PD Flex Hours
Message from Mrs. Sheehy
I want to thank you and everyone who contributed to the wonderful retirement video you sent. My family put together a surprise Zoom meeting this weekend to celebrate my retirement and it was played for everyone. Congratulations......you had me in tears!!!!
Erpenbeck has such a positive and supportive work environment and I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it. I already miss you all and the kids. You will all be in my prayers as you proceed with this uncertain school year.
I have a fun fact to share. I went to school at St. Mary Magdalen grade school in Maitland, Florida, and guess what? We were the MUSTANGS! Giving a great deal of credence to the mantra "Once a Mustang,....ALWAYS a Mustang!"
Thank you all for your kind words and well wishes.