Bo Matthews, Superintendent of Barren County Schools, speaks during a meeting of the board on Aug. 13, 2020. The board voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with its previous plan to reopen schools on Aug. 24.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW, Ky. – Despite a recent recommendation from Gov. Andy Beshear to postpone the resumption of in-person classes, Barren County Schools moved forward on Thursday evening to allow students to return to class this fall.
Beshear issued a “strong recommendation” to school districts across the commonwealth earlier this week to postpone in-person classes until Sept. 28.
Bo Matthews, Superintendent of Barren County Schools, said he had deliberated and offered prayer over the challenging issue, but he felt it would be best to allow students to return, as planned, on Aug. 24 in person.
“It is my hope and prayer that no one is harmed, in any way, based on the recommendation that I’ve been asked to make,” Matthews said.
The district is also allowing its other two options, which were approved by the board in July. Those options include a digital/ online learning format for nine weeks, or one semester for middle and high school students; or a complete school year provided by BAVEL.
Matthews said he considered several aspects of students’ return to school, including mental health, neglect and childcare, staff member care, and student safety.
Matthews clarified that the school system has already been promised its funding, which will mirror the 2018-19 levels. That factor did not play a role in his recommendation to open as planned.
“That’s not a primary motive,” Matthews said.
Albeit a difficult decision, Matthews said the time to connect with students is now.
“I contend the virus will be among us on Aug. 24. I contend the virus will be among us on Sept. 28, and even Nov. 3,” Matthews said. “Opening on Aug. 24 allows us to seize the opportunity with children while the risk is low.”
A district survey assessed staff and parents’ viewpoints regarding the return to school, and Matthews said roughly the same percentage of each population responded – 54%. Of those that responded, about half wanted to return while the other half did not.
Six audience members spoke before the board, and one was a teacher. The other five were parents.
Kelley Bauer, a Barren County High School teacher, said she felt the return to school would place students and staff in danger. Bauer spoke about the rationality of challenges that will be faced this fall.
“The general public, and maybe some of you, do not fully realize what hurdles still exist for in-person instruction to really work,” Bauer said.
She cited concerns for social distancing in schools, especially the high school where several students gather in the hallways. Bauer also mentioned the limited number of substitute teachers, which are often stretched thin with light absences.
“Can you imagine the exponential growth of staff absences with COVID?” Bauer said.
Bauer also reminded the board that the White House Coronavirus Taskforce has placed Barren County in “red mode” recently, which means the virus has potential to outbreak in the area.
“Let me be clear. Good or bad teacher is not quantified by whether or not they want to go back to school in-person on Aug. 24,” Bauer said. “I’m a good teacher, and I want to teach my students in any way that I can, the best way that I can.”
Bauer was the only voice of dissent.
Speaking after Bauer was Autumn Chambers, a parent with a young student who will begin kindergarten this school year. Chambers, along with several others, spoke about child abuse in homes around the county.
Patrick Gaunce and Josh Hardin, both parents, also spoke about child abuse and the implications of closing schools. Gaunce is involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow/ Barren County, and Hardin works with Cumberland Family Medical.
Both agreed that children are at risk and left behind if at home. Hardin said he recently saw children in situations that “would make most” of the board cry.
Hardin became emotional during his plea with the board to reopen as planned.
“I’ve encountered some of the saddest situations, sorry,” Hardin paused, “I have ever seen. Several children at home show signs of neglect and abuse. Some have been removed from the homes that I know of personally. If I were allowed to share specifics and pictures of these situations, it would bring you all to tears.”
Amanda Brinkerhoff wiped tears from her face as she read a prepared statement to the board. In her remarks, the mother of three said her 8-year-old daughter has been in an emotional state of depression. And her oldest son, who will be a senior, had trouble during the spring with virtual learning, leading him to struggle academically.
“I have dried her tears. I have tried the best that I can do to explain that this is not going to last forever,” Brinkerhoff said. “I try to do my best as a mother to keep a positive attitude while our country is on a lockdown.”
Jamie Byrd, a parent of four, told the board she was willing to take the risk to send her children back to school. She has also registered to be a substitute teacher this school year.
The board voted unanimously to follow through with Matthews’ recommendation to reopen all Barren County Schools on Aug. 24. Mike Miller and Joey Newberry made the first and second motion to approve the recommendation.
“It’s real. I know it’s real,” said Mike Miller, board member. “I’ve seen it.”
Parents still have a choice to elect for online learning or BAVEL, which is a complete curriculum taught virtually by educators away from Barren County’s campuses.
The school system is currently in yellow tier, which means schools are already on heightened circumstances due to confirmed or probable confirmed coronavirus cases in the district.
It’s unclear if the school system has active cases among students already on campus such as athletes.
