High school board: Weekly testing of unvaccinated staff has begun

‘It went off without a hitch’

Jeff Helfrich
Posted 9/20/21

At Monday’s Rochelle Township High School district board meeting Superintendent Jason Harper said that Monday was the first day of testing unvaccinated staff on-site to comply with Gov. JB Pritzker’s mandate that was made in August.

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High school board: Weekly testing of unvaccinated staff has begun

‘It went off without a hitch’

Posted

ROCHELLE — At Monday’s Rochelle Township High School district board meeting Superintendent Jason Harper said that Monday was the first day of testing unvaccinated staff on-site to comply with Gov. JB Pritzker’s mandate that was made in August. 

Harper said at last week’s elementary district board meeting that between both districts there are 85-90 staff members that are not two weeks out from their second vaccine shot that will require weekly testing. The districts have entered into a program with Sauk Valley Community College that sees staff members take saliva tests on site and receive the results later in the day. 

Harper said the districts originally planned on using rapid tests they had on hand for the staff testing, but were told that those were not allowed by health officials. 

“There's been a lot of stops and starts in this process collaborating and working with how we're going to implement this mandate,” Harper said. “Working with the Ogle County Health Department, trying to follow guidance and legalities and things of that nature. Today it went off without a hitch. No issues there. This is how we'll proceed for the immediate future until we get more clarification on using rapid tests.”

During his school reopening report, Harper said he didn’t have anything new for the board pertaining to things like masks in schools that have been discussed since July. During the public comment portion, a few community members did speak out against the mask mandate and asked for the school board to push back against it. 

Board President Tom Huddleston addressed those that spoke after public comment closed. 

"You're not unheard,” Huddleston said. “We hear you. We have to make decisions on behalf of the whole district. It's a very difficult time and obviously everybody is trying to adapt to the rules which is difficult to do as well. As a general rule, we pretty much need to follow what the state mandates are. And we're doing that at this time. It doesn't mean it's going to happen forever and I think we're on the tail end of this. We just have to stick together and thank you for your comments.”

Homecoming

RTHS Principal Chris Lewis said that the homecoming dance will be held outside this year to allow students to go without masks. He said “99 percent” of schools around the area are doing the same to allow students to have as normal a night as possible. 

“You can enjoy an experience that's somewhat normal,” Lewis said. “It's a really cool setup. The student council has put a lot of time into this. We rented a tent in case it rains. It will be in that grass area between the two parking lots. I think the kids are excited. The theme is ‘Under the Stars.’ This is what everybody in the area is doing to accommodate homecoming.

The homecoming pep rally will also be held outdoors on the football field rather than inside due to COVID-19.

Job fair

Harper gave a report to the board on the job fair held last week in conjunction with the City of Rochelle, Kishwaukee College and local businesses at RTHS. Usually the school puts on its own job fair in the spring. 

“I think it was a really solid event considering some of the mitigation strategies and some of the impacting variables and factors happening in our community and everywhere,” Harper said. “I think it timed up well for businesses to have the opportunity to reach the public. It was well publicized. I don't know what will come of this event in the spring. We may do it again then on a smaller or larger scale."

Employment

The board unanimously approved the hiring of nine employees including Vanessa Guzman as a health office aide COVID-19 testing lead. 

Also hired were Marisol Belmonte (paraprofessional/office assistant as needed), Mark Bratko (special events custodian), Reed Dalen (custodian/maintenance), Brandon Kantz (FLEX program part-time), Dennis Mensching (bus driver), Dale Lawhorn (volunteer marching band), Phil Orlikowski (volunteer marching band) and Jillian Thompson (volunteer marching band color guard).

Buses

The board unanimously approved an item that will allow the district to let bids to lease nine school buses, which include six 77-passenger buses, one 59+2 wheelchair bus, one 38+2 midsize wheelchair bus and one 18+1 mini bus. It also will let bids to lease five activity Hub buses. Bid recommendations will be brought before the board for review and approval. 

“Every three years we have a large lease and purchasing overhaul,” Harper said. “That's the time we're at right now. Right now our hope is to get these bids out early. Typically we go out to bid in December, January or February. We've been told by vendors to get on this earlier in the cycle so we don't get behind any supply chain issues.”

Sub rates

The board unanimously approved raising the daily pay rate for substitute teachers from $85 to $105. The move puts the district inline with the approaching $15 per hour minimum wage requirement and other districts in the area. 

“We're trying to get more competitive, not only with other starting wages in our community, but also with what other school districts are paying,” Harper said. “We feel like it puts us in the right competitive space."