Illinois State Board of Education met Sept. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
SWEARING IN OF BOARD MEMBER/ROLL CALL
Chair of the Board Darren Reisberg called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
Chair Reisberg announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded. He declared that an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent because of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that made a physical presence for the meeting unfeasible. He reminded those in person in Chicago that masks are required.
Chair Reisberg asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with seven members. State Superintendent Dr. Carmen I. Ayala was also in attendance.
Chair Reisberg introduced new Board member Dr. Nike Vieille and new General Counsel Jeremy Duffy. Mr. Duffy swore in Dr. Vieille.
Members Present:
Darren Reisberg, Chairperson, virtually
Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair, virtually
Jaime Guzman, Secretary
Dr. Christine Benson, virtually
Roger Eddy, virtually
Dr. David Lett, virtually
Susie Morrison, virtually
Dr. Nike Vieille
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Chair Reisberg reminded everyone about the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures.
Karen Wolff, a parent, discussed testing and quarantine procedures. She finds the school guidelines to be anti-scientific and anti-factual. She believes that anyone can contract the virus and thinks the guidelines are discriminatory against unvaccinated students. She is asking for the Board to create guidelines that make sense scientifically and are not discriminatory.
Joshua Stafford, school superintendent at Vienna HSD 13-3, spoke about his concerns with remote learning. He first thanked the Board members for their hard work. Then he shared that his priority is asking what is best for children at this time. He believes that remote learning is not ideal and wants it to be narrowed, but he also needs flexibility as a superintendent.
RESOLUTIONS
Chair Reisberg noted that everyone has received a resolution supporting in-person learning and it has been made public.
Dr. Ayala made a statement. She thanked the Board members for attending this special Board meeting. She shared that the purpose of the meeting is to take action on a resolution to support in-person learning and said a change to the declaration will not impact students’ educational experience this year. She expressed that all students must be provided fully in person learning for all school attendance days except for the public health circumstances provided in the declaration. She noted that the declaration does not expand remote learning but reaffirms responsibilities for each school to have a safe learning environment by providing remote learning for excluded students. She shared that all determinations are backed by data and science.
Dr. Leak moved that the State Board hereby approve the resolution in further support of in person learning dated September 7, 2021. Mr. Eddy seconded.
Dr. Lett asked for clarification in terms of what 77 IL Admin Code 690.30 does for districts. Mr. Duffy noted that the code already existed from the Illinois Department of Public Health. He noted that Section C has provisions of clarification with respect to schools. The resolution presented today is a reminder that this provision already existed.
Dr. Lett asked if the agency is ultimately hoping this is helpful to school districts that have been encountering issues by excluding students. Mr. Duffy noted the Board is reminding districts that this has always been an option.
Chair Reisberg asked if there were concerns prior to the revised resolution. Specifically, he asked if school districts that were excluding students pursuant to 77 IL Admin Code 690.30 argued they did not have to provide remote learning --- now, because of the updated language, they can provide remote learning. Mr. Duffy stated this is correct.
Dr. Lett shared that districts were facing temporary restraining orders in terms of their decisions to exclude students based upon protocols. He asked if the team is hopeful this is helpful to these situations. Mr. Duffy stated that it could be helpful.
Chair Reisberg noted that prior to now, school districts would have the right to exclude students under 77 IL Admin Code 690.30 but did not have the right to provide remote learning. This provision and legal authority mean they can provide remote learning to these students. He hopes remote learning is for a short period of time, since the Board agrees that in-person learning is ideal for students.
Mr. Eddy wanted to recognize the clarification. He likes that 77 IL Admin Code 690.30 makes it clear that there is flexibility. Chair Reisberg agreed that it is not limiting and expands options for superintendents.
Dr. Leak added the code shares the options available that were already there. She finds this is less restrictive.
Chair Reisberg thanked Dr. Ayala and the team for laying out the resolution and providing extra flexibility for superintendents who need it right now.
Ms. Parr called the roll, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
Chair Reisberg thanked everyone for attending on short notice and said he is excited to see everyone next week.
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Guzman moved that the State Board of Education adjourn the September 7 special meeting.
Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/Special-Meeting-Agenda-09072021.pdf
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