CEO Justin Jennings has answers as the city heads back to school

YOUNGSTOWN — During his monthly update and a parent town hall Tuesday, Youngstown City School District CEO Justin Jennings answered questions about the return to in-person education.

All students have the option to return to in-person education for two days a week starting the week of March 15.

Informational sheets with FAQs are available on the district's website in both English and Spanish, which outlines safety protocols, class schedules and other questions.

The district's priority in plotting the return of in-person education is the safety of students and staff, Jennings said. A survey was sent out to parents to choose between remaining with virtual lessons or moving to the hybrid model.

"We're going to do everything that we can to continue to educate your child, but we wanted to give people an opportunity [to return in person]," Jennings said.

Jennings said the district plans to fully return in person at the start of the 2021-22 school year but will maintain a virtual option for students.

Here are highlights of the parent town hall and other updates:

PARENT QUESTIONS

A parent asked how classes will work with some students in person and others remaining with virtual learning for two days of the week.

Chief Academic Officer Christine Sawicki said students who remain virtual will be on Zoom during the class, and instructors "will be teaching simultaneously."

"It's not the greatest way to do it, but we want to make sure that ... those who are remaining at home that you still get that education as well," Jennings said, noting schools across the country have been successful using this model.

When asked why students will return in person for only two days a week, Jennings said it was due to the ability for social distancing and availability of buses.

Jennings said the district is responsible for busing students at private and charter schools in addition to Youngstown City School students.

"We don't have enough buses to transport all our scholars, so we wanted to get this started and kind of wean everybody into it," Jennings said.

Bus schedules are still being developed and will be sent to parents on the Remind app, he said.

Wednesdays will be reserved for educator office hours, professional development and deep building cleaning. The district will still have weekly food distribution on Wednesdays.

Parents also asked about cleaning protocols for classrooms and buses.

The buildings will be cleaned after every school day. On Wednesdays, the buildings will be deep cleaned with an electrostatic sprayer. Bathrooms will also be cleaned by custodians throughout the day.

If students have to switch classrooms, they will wipe down their desks and shield with a disinfectant spray or wipe.

Buses are cleaned with wipes and disinfectant spray after each trip with students.

CORONAVIRUS VACCINES

Jennings said coronavirus vaccinations for teachers and staff are almost complete. Last Friday, about 700 teachers and staff received the second dose of the vaccine.

The district expects to vaccinate 900 of 1,350 employees in total.

"It was really successful," Jennings said.

The district offered leftover doses to the family of staff members who qualified under state guidelines before Phase 2 and 1C were available. It included those who are 65 and older, are immunocompromised or have other pre-existing conditions. They will also receive a second dose from the district.

Jennings said the district is also working on plans to make coronavirus vaccines available to Youngstown citizens through the YOUcare QUICKmed clinics.

BUDGET UPDATE

Treasurer A.J. Ginnetti shared an update on the budget for January and February.

For the month of February, the general fund revenue was about $10.5 million, and general fund revenue was about $9.5 million with a surplus of about $1 million.

For the first eight months of the 2021 fiscal year, the general fund revenue is about $81.5 million, and expenses are about $78.2 million with a surplus of about $3.2 million.

Jennings said the district also received about $22.3 million in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grant Program. The funding will be used to purchase 20 new school buses, which are expected to arrive in October.

The district is expecting another round of funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grant Program but does not know how much money the district will receive. The next round of funding would be used for upgrades on HVAC systems, buses and computers, as well as purchasing more PPE equipment.

YOUCARE CLINICS

Jennings said the district is planning on using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grant Program or Student Wellness and Success Funding to open two more YOUcare QUICKmed clinics at middle school locations by the start of school in the fall.

At that time, the district is hoping to open the clinics up to the community as well.

Right now, clinics are not accepting patients outside of students and employees of the district to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.

By the end of next year, the district hopes to have a clinic in every school in the district.

The district also hopes to add mental health services, mobile dentistry RV and monthly optometry appointments by next year.

Jennings said his belief is that attendance is a huge part of education for students. The clinics will give students the opportunity to get vaccinated and treated properly when sick so they can attend school.

"We have a great community who's really chipped in to help us focus on the medical attention of our community, but, in particular, our scholars," Jennings said.

This story was originally published March 10, 2021 at 4:11 AM with the headline "CEO Justin Jennings has answers as the city heads back to school."