City Schools CEO’s update includes info on online classes, fall sports

Related: Youngstown City Schools sets dates for device distribution

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YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown City School District CEO Justin Jennings provided details on the budget, online classes and fall sports during his monthly update Wednesday.

Here are the highlights from the virtual meeting:

Budget and grant update

Youngstown City Schools was awarded a competitive state literacy grant, which will provide the district with almost $2 million over the next four years. Only 34 of these grants were awarded in the state this year.

Chief Academic Officer Christine Sawicki said the district will be able to continue their work with the implementation of literacy programs. The grant will also allow them to hire more coaches to support teachers and administrators.

Treasurer A.J. Ginnetti provided an update for the start of the 2021 fiscal year and are currently working under 90-day temporary appropriations.

On Tuesday, a $250,000 broadband Ohio Connectivity grant was submitted for the mobile hotspots for 1,150 of the devices being used by students. The grant is part of the $15 million from the state of Ohio that is overseen by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

Youngstown City Schools has also received an allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. It is about $375,000 that can be used within CARES Act guidelines between March 1 to Dec. 30.

Jennings said the district is working to secure more grants that will be used for the safety of students.

Since Youngstown City Schools made the decision early to return online, the schools did not spend a lot of money on buying Plexiglas and other supplies to prepare the schools. Instead, the money was used to make sure students and staff had proper equipment for at-home schooling, Jennings said.

"We really wanted to focus on making sure that we use that money for equity," Jennings said.

Fall sports update

Over the last couple of weeks, some student-athletes, coaches and others have tested positive for COVID-19. Buildings were sanitized and quarantine periods have been completed.

Jennings said testing turnaround has been two days. At this time, all sports have the opportunity to practice. After more guidance from the state — which could come as early as today from Gov. Mike DeWine, the district will determine if competition will take place in the fall.

"Just like everything else, the health and safety of our staff members and scholar athletes are the most important thing," Jennings said.

All athletic practices at East and Chaney high schools were stopped to test student-athletes for COVID-19 after a student-athlete tested positive for coronavirus. Youngstown City Schools Spokesperson Denise Dick said East High School practices resumed on Wednesday.

Protocols will continue to be in place for the safety of student-athletes and the district will perform COVID-19 testing every two weeks. When the fall season starts, the district will follow guidelines for testing provided by the Ohio Department of Health.

Starting school online

Youngstown City Schools will start on Sept. 8. Families will be able to pick up district-issued Chromebooks and iPads Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

For those who don't have a vehicle, Jennings said the district is working on other ways for people to receive their device.

Jennings said students will be expected to be marked for attendance every day. Grades will also go back to a normal scale unlike the end of the spring term.

Students will be marked for attendance by logging in to class and sending a communication to the teacher. Students will have a quiz or question to answer that proves they are logging in and that they are understanding the material they are being taught. There will be a schedule of live classes as well as prerecorded classes.

"We try to do this as close to natural as we can without physically being there," Jennings said.

Jennings emphasized that it is not the parents' job to instruct and teach their kids while they are at home. All the district is asking is for parents to make sure their children are attending and doing their work.

"We don't want you to teach a math lesson," Jennings said. "If that was the case, we should be paying you."

Jennings said if a student is not attending, employees will be assigned to call or come to that student's house to check-in.

"I'm not saying this to scare people," Jennings said. "I'm saying it because we're taking this seriously."

This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 4:11 AM with the headline "City Schools CEO’s update includes info on online classes, fall sports."