WSD BOARD MEETING REPORT
Friday, Dec. 17, 2021
The Wentzville School District Board of Education held a meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. It was live-streamed via the District YouTube channel and can be viewed by visiting the WSD on YouTube. The agenda and available supporting documents can be viewed online under Public Access to BoardDocs.
COVID-19 MITIGATION
Per Board request on Dec. 8, the administration presented updated mitigation measures for the District at last night's meeting. The following measures – below and linked here – were approved by the Board and will go into effect upon return to school on Jan. 3, 2022. If you'd like to provide feedback on these items, you can do so here.
Masking
- Masks optional in buildings and outdoors
- Masks still required on buses (per federal requirement)*
Physical Distancing
- Return to typical standards; encourage physical distancing when possible; increase physical distancing when possible during an increase in cases
Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette
- Handwashing and respiratory etiquette taught and reinforced with signage posted
- Hand sanitizer provided in every classroom and in communal areas
- Provide time for handwashing, as needed
- PPE provided in clinics
- Masks available to students, if needed
- Encourage proper respiratory etiquette and maintain heightened protocols for symptomatic individuals
Cleaning and Maintaining Healthy Facilities
- Nightly targeted cleaning of high-touch surfaces and all classrooms
- Routine targeted fogging (weekly in each building and nightly in health clinics)
Diagnostic & Screening Testing
- Testing provided at LPHA and within in district Mercy clinic
- Will continue to collaborate with SCCDPH
Vaccination Efforts
- Will continue to collaborate with SCCDPH to bring awareness to vaccine events when needed
Accommodations for Children with Disabilities
- Create and follow accommodations, as needed, for students with Individualized Education Plans, 504 Plans, or Health Plans
As a reminder, the Board voted on Dec. 8 to return to the communicable disease prevention measures under Board Policies and Regulations, unless otherwise ordered by SCCDPH subject to further Board action, effective Dec. 22. Contact tracing procedures for close contacts are set to cease and will not be in effect upon return to school on Jan. 3, 2022.
LACTATION ACCOMMODATION
Prior to July 1, 2022, the District will provide facilities to accommodate lactating employees and students in each school building within the District. These facilities will permit students and employees to express breast milk, breastfeed a child, and address other needs relating to breastfeeding.
ASSESSMENT UPDATE
- What are the accountability measures by which we monitor our progress?
- What are the assessments in which Wentzville students participate?
- How well are Wentzville students performing and how well is Wentzville performing on key indicators?
DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Jennifer Willis-Nichols, a science teacher at North Point High School, was named the 2021 Wentzville School District Teacher of the Year.
“Jennifer Willis-Nichols is positive, passionate, innovative, and kind,” said Dr. Amanda Shelmire, North Point High School principal. “She cares deeply for her students and their growth in the classroom. She goes above and beyond to ensure her students feel heard and valued.”
The Board celebrated all WSD building Teachers of the Year at last night's meeting. Read a full list of building Teachers of the Year.
HOLT FOOTBALL
The Holt Football team was recognized in front of the Board for their historic season this year. Holt advanced to the Class 5 State Championship Game and was the first football team to represent our District at this level in our many years of existence. Congratulations to these hardworking student-athletes and their coaching staff for an incredible season. Photo credit: Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com.
AUDIT REPORT
An independent, third-party auditor from Daniel Jones & Associates presented the District's Fiscal Year 2021 Audit Report. The report indicated a "clean audit."
The next regular Board Meeting is set for Jan. 20, 2022.