Lowcountry Montessori School
Minutes
Special Board Meeting
Special meeting to review the LMS re-opening plan.
Date and Time
Tuesday July 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Location
Video conference: https://meet.google.com/dyx-ktqa-ogt
Call-in access: (US) +1 219-767-0180 PIN: 739 148 283#
The mission of Lowcountry Montessori School is to provide an authentic Montessori education building a foundation for lifelong learning.
Directors Present
A. Moody (remote), J. Dameworth (remote), K. Recchia (remote), P. Chester (remote), S. Lemstrom (remote), T. Vande Burgt (remote)
Directors Absent
D. Fent, G. Alexander
Guests Present
A. Horn (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
A. Moody called a meeting of the board of directors of Lowcountry Montessori School to order on Tuesday Jul 14, 2020 at 5:02 PM.
C.
Reading of the Mission Statement
D.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved by general consent.
E.
Statement of Compliance with FOIA
II. Public Comment
A.
Public comment period, limited to 3 minutes per person.
No public comments to record.
III. New Business
A.
Discussion of LMS re-opening plan
Horn reviewed guidelines by DHEC and CDC for school reopening. Horn reviewed guidelines asked by the district to pick which model to follow. Horn covered three areas reviewed for considerations to reopening plans including county incident rate, trend, and two-week percent of positive test. Horn reviewed 3 model options:
1. Full reopening with safety in place.
2. Hybrid model. 1-3 days per week.
Two variations considered:
1. M/W/F with Tu/Th for deep cleaning
2. M/Tu group 1
Th/F group 2
Deep cleaning completed on Wednesdays. When students are home, work virtually.
3. Virtual remote school-at-home model.
Horn reviewed responses to survey. 185 families responded. 54.6% said no to virtual. 45.4% said yes to virtual. 25% of responders said if fully virtual would look for other options.
Horn noted she had reached out to the neighboring church as a possibility for additional space and will meet with them soon to discuss.
Horn reviewed Pre-K costs to families. $100/mo to maintain spot if 100% virtual. $25 per day to attend hybrid model.
Horn reviewed teacher concerns with coming back. 6-7 teachers noted to have pre-existing conditions.
USDA update on closing given by Horn. Moody requested additional discussion to be reserved for next board meeting on July 23.
1. Full reopening with safety in place.
2. Hybrid model. 1-3 days per week.
Two variations considered:
1. M/W/F with Tu/Th for deep cleaning
2. M/Tu group 1
Th/F group 2
Deep cleaning completed on Wednesdays. When students are home, work virtually.
3. Virtual remote school-at-home model.
Horn reviewed responses to survey. 185 families responded. 54.6% said no to virtual. 45.4% said yes to virtual. 25% of responders said if fully virtual would look for other options.
Horn noted she had reached out to the neighboring church as a possibility for additional space and will meet with them soon to discuss.
Horn reviewed Pre-K costs to families. $100/mo to maintain spot if 100% virtual. $25 per day to attend hybrid model.
Horn reviewed teacher concerns with coming back. 6-7 teachers noted to have pre-existing conditions.
USDA update on closing given by Horn. Moody requested additional discussion to be reserved for next board meeting on July 23.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session
No executive session was required during this meeting.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:42 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
K. Recchia