District distributes internet hotspot devices

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  • Secondary Principal Brian Lowe and Elementary Principal Kodi Wright live streamed into the North Hopkins ISD board meeting Thursday. Sitting is board member Sherry Smiddy. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
    Secondary Principal Brian Lowe and Elementary Principal Kodi Wright live streamed into the North Hopkins ISD board meeting Thursday. Sitting is board member Sherry Smiddy. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
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Staff commended for situation response

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NORTH HOPKINS—Efforts to assist students with little to no internet access and facility updates were among discussion topics at the North Hopkins Independent School District March board meeting Thursday night.

For the elementary, 30 of the 318 students enrolled had trouble accessing the internet, and with all of their classes online, this meant missing the required five hours a week for classwork. Secondary Principal Brian Lowe said 23 of 233 secondary students could not access the internet.

The district has delivered internet hotspots and electronic devices to families needing access, and Wright said more families have signed up for the devices. The district has also held device pickup times for families.

“I think we’ve done a pretty meticulous job of combing through households, so we’re not sending double hotspots to places,” Lowe said.

Lowe and Wright said the teachers had been ready to start STAAR review in the last nine weeks of school, having covered all the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. With STAAR testing waived, teachers are now free to decide what to do.

“We feel pretty confident about trying to maintain and make sure the kids aren’t regressing at this point,” Wright said.

Board President David James commended the principals and district for adapting to the situation at hand, and Superintendent Dr. Darin Jolly said the district chose not to pursue “low-tech” options like paper packets in favor of online learning.

“Our principals have very good vision on this because it’s just a lot better material you can get to them [students] online,” Jolly said. “The district has made such a solid investment with laptops and things of that nature for us just to say we’re going to have a packet pickup.”

Jolly gave an update on facilities, stating the awning behind the ag bar had been installed, and the awning on the side of the elementary building was to be started Friday. He also showed a video displaying the finished roof.

“It’s something to be proud of,” Board Vice President Brian Lewis said. “It’s been something we’ve been talking about that for a long time.”

The board also approved budget amendments related to the emergency closure. Business Manager Jan Vaughn estimated 25% of expense reimbursement would come from the state, and the other 75% would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“This is all a guessing game right now as to what we might send and what we might receive,” Jan Vaughn said. “They’re [Texas Association of School Business Officials] talking about 75% coming from the federal government. I have a friend who was a trainer for TASBO, and she’s putting in her budget 75% from federal and 25% from the state.”

James, who also serves as the Sulphur Springs fire chief, estimated it would be two or three years before FEMA would reimburse the school, and he said there is much documentation involved in the process.

“You will get your money back,” James said. “As long as it’s labeled right and keep records of everything, you’ll get the money back. It may be two years, may be three, may be four or five.”

Jan Vaughn said there should be no change to the fund balance if all reimbursements come through.

The board also finalized matters related to the new fire alarm system to be installed in the secondary building. Coming in at $120,977, it is under the budgeted $125,000 Jan Vaughn set. Jolly said he gave the green light to accelerate the installation because STAAR testing had been waived.

“They’re in the drafting stages now,” Jolly said. “I really think that [testing waiver] will help get that done.”

The cost does not include installing fire doors, something James wants to see done.

The board also approved teacher contracts for 2020-2021 and wage payments during the emergency closure. Board members Charlie Vaughn and Brian Lewis abstained due to having family members employed by the district.