LISBON — As 2021 comes to an end, local classrooms are still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anna Marie Vaughn, superintendent of Columbiana County Educational Service Center, said there were a couple serious cases within their system recently that have caused concern and that she hopes things improve.
“We are hoping that over the holiday break that maybe we’ll be able to get healthy again and they’ll be able to come back to work,” Vaughn told board members Tuesday night.
Director of Special Education Cheryl McGrath said there has been a recent increase in outbreaks in special education classrooms. “We did have to shut one classroom down on recommendation of the health department due to COVID,” she said. Staff persist with efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, still wearing masks, working on sanitization and practicing social distancing, McGrath said, as they aim to serve students. “We are continuing to support kids.”
Still, most preschool classrooms are full daily, Melissa Puhalla, preschool supervisor, told board members. She said she is excited about strong attendance in the pre-K classrooms despite a few COVID outbreaks, which she said were mostly in family members of students.
In another move that may help as the pandemic continues to present challenges staffing classrooms, the board also approved five new student teachers for the spring 2022 semester. Vice President Jackie Mercer thanked them for the approval, and told the board it has been difficult to find replacements.
“If we can get those student teachers in, hopefully they’ll become substitute teachers for us and maybe even full time because it’s very difficult to find substitutes right now,” Vaughn added.
In other business, Marie Williams, director of teaching and learning, said she submitted a federal grant application Monday. Literacy, math, career connections and social and emotional needs are a key area of focus for the potential funding, Williams said. “We thought big and we planned big, so we’ll see what actually happens.” By January she should know if ESC will be awarded the funding, she said.
Before adjourning, Board President Richard Stoudt thanked program directors McGrath, Puhalla and Williams for their service.
“We know that times are trying, even more so than usual, yet we continue to serve our community,” Stoudt said.
The next ESC board meeting will be Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
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