State: Schools likely won't reopen; Salem-Keizer officials discuss online learning

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Paying regular employees, transitioning to "distance learning," providing mental health resources and navigating the district budget timeline are among myriad things Salem-Keizer Public Schools officials are figuring out in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The Salem-Keizer School Board met via video chat Monday evening to discuss district updates amid school closures. Just hours after, the Oregon Department of Education released new guidance on how districts should transition in the coming weeks.

Agency officials said they "foresee the strong possibility" students may not return to physical schools this academic year, but have not yet extended the closure currently set through April 28.

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As Oregon moves toward no in-school learning for the rest of the semester, like other states, districts will need to shift from providing supplementary education — which cannot be graded and does not count toward instructional time — to what state officials are calling "Distance Learning for All."

Students navigating homelessness, those learning English as a second language and those who access special education services will have additional barriers that need to be addressed. 

The state's new guiding document outlines several things schools need to think about, including new instructional time recommendations that match practices in Kansas and Washington:

• Grades K-1: 45 minutes
• Grades 2-3: 60 minutes
• Grades 4-5: 90 minutes
• Grades 6-12: 30 minutes per teacher (3 hours in a day)

Staffing, meals for children

District staff are returning to work this week. They will prep new lesson plans, train on distance learning and survey each of their students to ensure they are safe, healthy and able to access school work. The district plans to make its main transition to online learning next week. 

Michael Wolfe, chief operations officer for Salem-Keizer, said the district is spending, on average, more than $40 million a month on payroll right now.

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Salem-Keizer continues to provide about 15,000 meals a day at 35 designated school sites and two apartment complexes, Wolfe said. District nutritional services are also providing meals to the children of healthcare workers and first responders utilizing Salem-Keizer's child care.

Access to technology

Salem-Keizer is in the middle of making sure all 42,000-plus students in the district have access to the technology and WiFi needed to participating in the new online learning programs. 

Students in need of devices will be able to rent Chromebook laptops from the district at no cost for the duration of the closure, officials said. 

Education:No-cost laptop rentals available for Salem-Keizer students

Devices will be made available at each of the district's six traditional high schools on Thursday from noon until 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Devices are available to K-12 students, but the person picking it up must either show the student's ID or provide their district ID number upon pick up.

At this time, WiFi hot spots are not available. Officials said an order has been placed for a limited amount.

Graduation, mental health

State standardized tests have already been cancelled, and Salem-Keizer officials told the school board Monday they can expect next year's statewide report cards to look different than expected. Neither the state nor the district has released information concerning graduation at this time. 

District staff are holding virtual meetings to speak with students and families experiencing high levels of anxiety or mental health issues.

Officials said they are creating a system so families can schedule or request appointments with school counselors and psychologists. They are also passing out hard copies at meal sites that include crisis numbers and mental health hotlines. 

Construction, budget work

Wolfe told the board they will likely conduct the annual budget review process in May instead of starting sooner, which may affect the implementation of Student Investment Account funds coming from the state, as schools slow down and monitor the situation.

The district's capital construction bond work is continuing on schedule as of now, Wolfe said, and all design meetings are virtual. The district is spending about $7.5 million a month for the bond, which they expect to jump to $15 million per month this summer.

In-district transfers, dual language

District officials also announced Tuesday they have extended the deadline for both dual-language program and in-district transfer applications until Friday, April 3. Traditionally, applications are accepted throughout the month of March.

All applications should be completed digitally and emailed to Kristin McIntosh in the Office of K-12 Education at mcintosh_kristin@salkeiz.k12.or.us, or mailed to the Lancaster Professional Center at 2450 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305.

For more information and to access applicatigo to salkeiz.k12.or.us.

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Contact education reporter Natalie Pate at npate@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6745 or follow Natalie on Twitter @Nataliempate or Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist.