Akron.com

Norton district maintains distance learning



Norton City Schools are prepared for the continuation of student instruction through remote learning.
At a special April 20 Norton City Schools Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dana Addis stated Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement earlier that day that schools would not return to in-class instruction for this school year was “not a surprise decision.” Schools have been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have a plan in place,” he said. “Many of the items we will now have to address have been discussed at length, including graduation.”
Addis stated answers to questions regarding the next few months of school will be provided to parents and students in the coming weeks.
Addis praised both the school district’s technology department and food services employees for their work during the shut-down order from the state. He stated the technology department has “gone above and beyond the call of duty” to get things done, and food services “stepped up at a high level” to provide 50 meals daily distributed to students Mondays and Wednesdays.
In other business, Student Services Director Ed Morris announced Norton Developmental Preschool has earned a five-star rating from the Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning “after a lot of hard work.”
Also at the meeting, the board approved:
• a number of policies, some related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including one on distance learning to allow extended use of “blizzard bags” that contain instructional school work for students; the new board meeting format via Google Meet, which did not allow for public participation, but may in the future; and acceptable reasons for student absences to include quarantine for a contagious disease;
• the resignation of Ross Morgan, middle school psychologist, effective June 1;
• the purchase of three 72-passenger Blue Bird school buses, with two paid for with grant funds and the third paid with half the cost in grant funds;
• the adjustment of nonathletic stipends for ski club and the spring musical supplemental positions and corrected stipends for softball positions; and
• to accept Easter baskets for students and clothing for the Panther Clawset, both from anonymous donors.
The board also recognized the following Students of the Month for April: Jacie Penrose, of Norton Primary School; Maci Hodgkinson, of Norton Elementary School; Michael Peti, of Norton Middle School; and Natali Merchant, of Norton High School.
The board moved into executive session to discuss employment and personnel for about 30 minutes, and returned with no action taken afterward.
The next board meeting is set for May 11 at 7 p.m., with a decision about whether to continue live streaming the meetings on YouTube to be made at a later date. For information to connect to the meeting virtually, visit www.nortonschools.org.