The Ponca City Board of Education met on Dec. 14.

Superintendent Shelley Arrott presented her report, including updates on COVID-19 as well as surveys results with regards to anecdotal data on several points of interest and comments from staff.

A survey of the staff to determine the percentage interested in taking the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available was taken and the results among 546 participants show that 38.46% said yes, 24.54% said no and 37% were undecided.

Anecdotal data on distance learning described several areas. In terms of participation, 4.36% saw an increase in student participation, 36% saw the same level of participation on distance learning, and 59.64% saw a decrease in student participation. In terms of engagement, 4.41% saw an increase in student engagement, 39.34% saw the same level of engagement and 56.25% saw a decrease in student engagement.

Anecdotal responses describing student performance, 5.82% saw an increase in student performance, 46.91% saw the same level of performance, and 47.27% saw a decrease in student performance.

With several distance learning practice and real distance learning day under the school’s belt, students will not need additional practice days. With a loss of at least 17 district-wide face-to-face days, Superintendent Arrott recommended the Board to consider converting the 2nd semester distance learning practice days to face-to-face instructional days.

Po-Hi lost 24 and Garfield lost 26 in-person learning days.

Superintendent Arrott recommended to begin in-person instruction on January 5, 2021. If considerations such as data, medical advisement or other pertinent information leads to a different approach of instructional delivery, a special Board of Education meeting may be scheduled prior to Jan. 5, 2021.

If it is determined that not enough staff are available to safely and effectively operate a campus or if a significant number of students and staff are affected by isolations and quarantines, the administration would transition to distance learning for a period of two weeks. If deemed necessary to transition the entire district to distance learning, a special board meeting will be called. The district will continue to mitigate by wearing face coverings appropriately, watching distance, washing hands, contact tracing, frequent sanitation of the facilities, and coordinating with Kay County Health Department on isolations and quarantines.

Superintendent Arrott recommends for varsity level extra-curricular activities to continue for all activities beginning Jan. 5, 2021, with careful consideration to safety protocols implemented. Activity groups that are in quarantine will not participate during the quarantine time period. A special Board of Education meeting can be scheduled if data leads to an alternate recommendation.

New CDC guidelines presented include updates to quarantine requirements. Based on new guidance, a close contact can end quarantine seven days after exposure if they test negative for COVID-19 and have had no symptoms. The test can be a PCR or rapid test and should be taken within 48 hours of the end of the quarantine period, but close contact must quarantine seven days even with a negative test.

Without a test, a close contact can end quarantine after 10 days and monitor symptoms for four more days, equating to the original guidance of 14 days of quarantine. Health officials still “recommend” the 14-day quarantine, and those released from quarantine on day 7 or 10, must be masked at all times for the full 14 days, except while eating.