GCSC looks to adjust eLearning moving forward

With the school year, and with it nearly two months of eLearning, now at an end, Greencastle Community Schools is looking to learn from the unexpected challenge of having to teach students remotely.

GCSC Curriculum Director Jennifer French gave her monthly report to the Greencastle School Board Monday, talking about the findings so far of a survey of parents regarding their eLearning experiences.

“The comments were very thoughtful, very specific, very supportive,” French told the board.

One comment that has recurred is that parents liked the Canvas learning platform the corporation utilized for students in third grade and above.

Indeed, parents who had students in this age range as well as in kindergarten through second grade said they found it easier with Canvas and asked why it was not available for the younger students.

French said this will be the case moving forward, whether eLearning is used on an occasional, as-needed basis or it is a regular part of instruction this fall.

With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, school corporations are having to approach the fall semester with a number of possibilities in mind, ranging from a return to normal classroom activities to full eLearning to any number of plans in between.

Thinking of these possibilities, French also addressed one frustration parents expressed — that it was difficult to motivate many students once they knew there would be no formal grades taken for the final grading period.

“Going into fall and winter, if we’re going to do this again, that is something we need to address,” French said.

French aslo emphasized that while school officials are happy with the number of response to the survey so far, parents who have not responded are still encouraged to do so. The survey should have been emailed to all GCSC parents.

Another issue fundamental to eLearning is that of internet access. While the corporation made sure to have wifi available to students outside of school buildings, this still did not make it easy for families that struggle with internet access issues.

As such, French said she and Technology Integrator C.J. Shields are part of a task force that is organizing with a goal of bringing further broadband access to the county in general.

While the fruits of this labor will not be seen in the fall semester, organizers are hopeful it will make a difference for the entire Putnam County community in years to come.

On Monday, the school board also took a step to deal with some of the financial fallout of the pandemic.

Knowing that many tax draws will come in late with tax extensions granted by the state, the board passed a resolution allowing the corporation to take out temporary loans from the Indiana Bond Bank to cover obligations until draws come in fully.

According to the resolution, the loans would involve the Bond Bank purchasing warrants issued in anticipation of current tax revenues levied for 2019 and due for collection in 2020.

The loan amounts are not to exceed $2,837,054 for debt service and $3,312,825 for operations, for a total amount not to exceed $6,149,879.

The interest rate on the loan is not to exceed 4.5 percent.

The resolution passed unanimously.

With the resolution passed, the board will meet in a special public session at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27. The only piece of business on the agenda is an approval request for the tax warrant purchase agreement.

In other business:

• Supt. Jeff Hubble announced that in the time since schools were shut down to in-person learning in March, the food service department has served 21,770 meals to students in the community.

The meals have been available once a week — each Wednesday — with students receiving five breakfasts and five lunches, the same number of meals that would have been available to them during school.

Hubble also announced that the summer feeding program will also be available again in 2020.

After taking the Memorial Day week off, the meals will be available at Deer Meadow Primary School, a change from the high school, on June 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

GCSC will also be operating a remote site on these dates, serving from the Elite Skyhawks location at 1101 N. Jackson St.

• Hubble also congratulated Jeff Gibboney, who will replace him as superintendent on July 1.

The retiring superintendent said he and Gibboney would be meeting weekly to help with the transition until the end of Hubble’s contract on June 30.

He added that he plans to stay connected to the corporation and be a resource for the new superintendent.

• The superintendent also announced that Greencastle High School graduation is planned for July 16, with various plans under consideration based on the situation in the state and community at the time.

• The board also approved a number of personnel items.

Resignations: Christian Arvin as high school social students teacher as well as high school girls’ cross country coach and co-ed track coach, Shane Thomas as high school wrestling coach and Amy Thomas as high school drama director.

Transfer: Raymond Gillinger from part-time to full-time GHS custodian .

21st Century Community Learning Center: Jennifer French approved as director and grant administrator.

Summer School: Doug Hudson approved as virtual Edgenuity courses teacher and Nate Bryan approved as virtual government teacher.

Extra-curricular activities: Amy Howard and Denise Meyer approved as middle school Tutoring Club co-sponsors.