BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — As parents frantically try to obtain information about reopening plans for their specific schools, the Palm Beach County School Board is apparently ready to move on to other things. A virtual school board workshop and meeting agenda for Wednesday has no mention of COVID-19 or reopening plans. It is the first school board meeting since Palm Beach County announced a move to Phase 2, and the school system announced reopening for in-person education starting district-wide on September 21st.
Parents contacting BocaNewsNow.com en masse say they have received no information from elementary, middle or high school principals about plans for specific schools, raising questions about the school system’s preparedness. It was revealed during a meeting last week that the district was in short supply of approved disinfectant and PPE material.
It is also unclear — as of Labor Day — how teachers will simultaneously teach to students in-person and remotely, what lunch plans will be executed to enforce social distancing, or how in-school education will be preferable to staying at home where masks are not required.
The virtual meeting — which starts as a workshop — is set for Wednesday at 3pm. Public comments are accepted by using the information below. Agenda items are subject to change so it is possible that COVID reopening plans will be added, but as of 6PM Monday there is nothing.
PUBLIC COMMENT CAN BE MADE IN ONE OF TWO WAYS:
1. IN PERSON:
The public can attend the meeting in a room or rooms at the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. A room or rooms will be provided for the public to view, listen, and/or provide public comment IN A VIRTUAL SETTING. Speakers must be signed up in advance of the meeting by calling the Board Office at: 561-434-8136, 561-434-8139, 561-434-7481, OR 561-434-8131. THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK IS NOON THE DAY OF THE MEETING.
2. BY RECORDED MESSAGE:
Public comment can also be received by leaving a voice-recorded message that will be played in the meeting by calling: 561-684-5103. Comments are limited to es and 3 minutes for agenda and non-agenda topic speakers. Your recorded comments will be heard during the live meeting where appropriate in the agenda. Please be sure to state name in message as no anonymous comments will be accepted. DEADLINE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS MEETING IS NOON THE DAY OF THE MEETING. After that time, comments can only be accepted in writing by email the Board Clerk at CAROL.BASS@PALMBEACHSCHOOLS.ORG. Best efforts will be made to include comments and evidence received after noon and up to the time of the meeting is called to order. All public comments and evidence timely received as state will be attached to the meeting minutes. Any person interested in additional information may contact Carol Bass, Board Clerk at 561-434-8136 or email: CAROL.BASS@PALMBEACHSCHOOLS.ORG.
