Q: What is the latest on the schools under construction?
A: Zoning for High School HHH has been finalized as of late September. As for K-8 School MM in Nocatee, two proposed zoning plans are now on the school district website, and we are getting public input at this time. Interested parties can contact any of the school board members and we will accept public input until the school board meeting on Dec. 8.
Q: Can you give some insight into the decision to have even earlier releases from school on Wednesdays that began in mid October?
A: Our teachers are still persevering through teaching two different platforms. The school board was searching for ways to give teachers extra planning time and found we could afford to give teachers an additional 50 minutes each Wednesday until Dec. 31 and so we did. The feedback from teachers already is very positive. I’ve heard how much they appreciate this extra time. We hope to provide additional help to support our teachers and we continue to assess ways we can take things off teachers’ plates so they can concentrate on teaching and focus on their students.
Q: How are school board meetings being held at this time?
A: As a school board, we continue to have meetings accessible both virtually and in person. The school board members meet in person and the public is allowed to attend virtually or in person. Information on our meetings, including how to dial in if you prefer to attend virtually, is available on the school district website. School district focus groups, school SAC meetings and ESE parent meetings similarly allow the public to attend virtually or in person. I think this is a big plus.
Q: What is the latest on health and safety protocols at district schools?
A: As health conditions change for the county, our Student Services Department works daily with the county Health Department. Updates are received from the state Department of Health, the CDC and Flagler Health+ so we can make sure best practices are followed. I’d expect there will be changes and updates throughout the school year, as we move into the winter months.
But at this time, the same safety protocols as we initiated at the beginning of the school year are in effect.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 4?
A: We just honored Sherry Anthony, girls’ varsity basketball coach at Nease High School and also a dean at Landrum Middle School, who will be inducted in the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Court of Legends, which honors great coaches, players, officials and teams in the state. In addition, Coach Anthony is being inducted in the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2020, which recognizes coaches for their lifetime achievements. I’m happy to give a shout out to her for the difference she has made in the lives of our students.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at kelly.barrera@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
