GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Parents continue to ask the Green Bay School Board to return to in-person learning. The board met Monday in a special work session to discuss a number of COVID-19 related topics.
Parent Debbie Renier called during public forum and said, “are you listening? They are pounding at the door pleading to be let in. They want to be let in. Will you open?”
Parents, like Renier, continue asking the Green Bay School Board to open their schools in-person.
Last week, the school board voted on a plan. Phasing students back in, the earliest being three weeks after the vaccine is available to teachers. But, parents are still saying it’s not soon enough.
Parent Timm Schaetz said, “the gating criteria is unattainable and unrealistic.”
And it’s not just parents, but the students too.
Kendall Troup, a senior at Southwest High School said, “I am lucky to be a senior right now. At least I won’t be affected. I can move on, go to college and make a life for myself above petty school politics.”
In this special board meeting, members discussed spending related to COVID-19. In the last school year, pandemic related spending totaled just over $1 million.
Pete Ross, Business Services Chief of Operations said, “we did not spend CARES money in 2019 since we knew the fund would be needed for 2020.”
In this school year, that number is over $2.7 million.
“We are using cares dollars but also using general funds dollars where general funds dollars exist,” Ross said.
Both school years, technology for virtual learning being a major factor.
Josh Patchak, Executive Director of Technology and Information said, “vast majority of 2019-2020 and frankly 20-21 spend on COVID was on hot spots.”
The district has also spent close to $800 thousand on PPE both school years.
“Good hand on supplies for PPE so we’re ready to operationalize when schoolboard directs us to have us in school,” said Ross.
Some other costs were mailing, printing, professional development, and community services.
A Green Bay city council member is also trying to take on back-to-school plans.
The city’s protection and policy committee heard from parents last night. Alderman Jesse Brunette is urging the Green Bay area public school district to switch to in-person learning.
The school board doesn’t have to approve or take up any resolution passed by the Green Bay protection and policy committee.
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