Photo via screenshot Tammy Holden is pictured speaking about flexible instruction during Monday’s Warren County School District Committee of the Whole meeting.

The Warren County School District met for their committee of the whole meeting on Monday evening, despite the snow day off from school.

All but one of the directors were present and the public seats filled around half of the average amount. Thirty-five people joined the meeting by Zoom.

Due to the inclement weather, Director Tammy Holden brought up the topic of flexible learning days. Many surrounding schools participate in having an online learning day instead of having to make up snow days at the end of the school year.

She asked what was needed to make them possible.

“We spend a fortune on technology,” Holden said. “What do we need to do to implement something like that for our kids so that they’re not going over into their summer vacation days?”

Superintendent Gary Weber responded that there are two big hurdles in making that happen; one being the internet. A large population of students in the county do not have internet access. Live instruction would not exist for those students.

“It’s probably the biggest barrier that we have,” Weber said. “But there are ways that we can do flexible instruction.” Weber said computers do not get sent home with all of the students, based on age and grade level. Even if computers were sent home with every single student, it does not change the fact that many do not have internet access.

“What’s the difference between no live instruction and sending a packet home? It’s not instructional,” Weber said. “If we want to truly value the instruction that our students receive in the classroom, and it’s been talked about in the past, it doesn’t measure up as closely as to having kids in school.”

Weber said that energy days are built in for a reason, with an average use of two per year used.

Weber said he isn’t opposed to the idea of flexible instruction, but wanted to look at it again because it does offer one more tool that can be implemented if needed.

“I just know Tidioute does it and if anybody doesn’t have good internet service, it’s probably Tidioute,” Holden said. “What are the complications involving staff?”

Weber said that there is not a staff issue, but not all staff can work from home either.

John Wortman, who works for Forest Area School District, worked Monday through flexible instruction. Wortman said that he believed there are other ways to consider a student to be given credit for work done even if no online presence was possible. Weber agreed that the discussion should continue and mentioned putting together a presentation on the pros and cons.

“What has ceased to exist that we used during COVID,” asked board member Misty Moore. “Are those elements still used?”

Weber said that federal money was given to provide wi-fi. That money was sent to families but there were difficulties with finding the right providers in the right places. Bridget Schwab, board member, said a student should perhaps be able to go on their computer and participate in some work such as a project, but not actually have to be online to receive credit for the day’s attendance, Weber concluded that if it is something that the board wishes to do for next school year, then it should be discussed, keeping in mind the question of what value is gotten out of it.