Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: TRS pension update
Next Post: Medicine Assistance Tool Connects Patients To Information About Assistance Programs
Posted in:
* Lots of rumors are floating around this afternoon, particularly in the wake of the Ohio governor closing all public schools. So this Illinois Association of School Administrators bulletin is interesting…
Illinois School District Superintendents,
This message is written in a moment like none of us have ever experienced. According to the World Health Organization, we are in a pandemic due to the COVID-19 spread across the globe. That in and of itself is a daunting statement that strikes fear into most people. However, while some start to panic, we, as school leaders have to “settle” to the challenge coming straight at us all. And in “settling,” we have to prepare, organize, and rise to the occasion to meet and manage this health crisis. There is some history regarding how to manage this going back to 1918 when comparing the ways in which Philadelphia and St. Louis reacted to disease spread. You can Google that and read the analysis. Opinion varies widely regarding school closure or not: Singapore, Japan, and Washington State.
When it comes to public schools, we are in a unique situation. We have community safety to consider, which involves our students and staff. As I write, students are going largely unaffected but, of course, that could have changed overnight or may change as more testing becomes available. The concern is mostly what is termed as “community spread.” Primarily mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus is the medical goal while recognizing that a spread is going to happen, but stretching that spread out over a longer period of time will allow our medical systems and providers the ability to respond rather than be swamped by a tsunami of cases. This is called flattening the curve.
As you consider your local situation, I would strongly urge you to collaborate and coordinate with community/county leaders – especially the county health departments which will receive guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Just to be clear, decisions to close school districts will remain at the local level in consultation with your local public health department and IDPH, at this point in time. Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions. It will remain at the local level.
Meanwhile, work is being done by ISBE to ascertain what flexibilities can be provided around federal mandates, etc. Focus on what makes sense for your community and kids – safe environment, sanitary supplies and access to food and healthcare. E-Learning may not be a cure-all in every district; so keep that in mind. This is an emergency and well-reasoned decisions will be treated as such when the dust eventually settles.
I can attest that the ISBE, IDPH, Terrorism Task Force, Governor Pritzker and his team are doing everything in their power to manage a rapidly developing situation. IASA has and will continue to partner with them and will update information and guidance to you as required. Below is updated guidance and actionable items for you to review.
We will continue to work through this together.
Emphasis in original and then expanded a bit.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:45 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: TRS pension update
Next Post: Medicine Assistance Tool Connects Patients To Information About Assistance Programs
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
==Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions.==
This implies that, if there is a statewide closure, it will be at the direction of the IDPH.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:51 pm
Pretty sure the Governor through IDPH can shut down whatever he wants to, irrespective of what IASA has to say. And he should. Also pretty sure that he wouldn’t have allowed them to pre-empt his message if this was it.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:53 pm
FWIW, that email went out before those rumors started swirling.
Comment by May soon be required Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:53 pm
=== Just to be clear, decisions to close school districts will remain at the local level in consultation with your local public health department and IDPH, at this point in time. Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions.===
“Staying open to own…“
To the post,
My sincere hope, whatever each school district will seemingly decide, they make decisions best for the students, community, and staff.
Staying open to solely prove a point is like having a parade because people need a reason to imbibe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:53 pm
Very poor decision. No wisdom being used in the US. Too proud and special to close schools and shut things down until you might be forced to.
Comment by Real Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:59 pm
Does an Association really think they have the authority to override the Governor and his emergency powers??
We are living in some BOLD times to say the very least….
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:00 pm
The Governor of Maryland just closed all its schools.
Comment by Honeybadger Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:01 pm
This is the foundation of chaos-no one lin Illinois ives in a bubble. Shockingly poor decision to avoid making tough choices.
Comment by Chisox Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:03 pm
-Does an Association really think they have the authority to override the Governor and his emergency powers??-
One has constitutional powers and the National Guard. The other has… a nice mixer every once in a while?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:03 pm
=== Staying open to solely prove a point is like having a parade because people need a reason to imbibe.===
Gubernatorial powers to override best be bold and best be made without waver.
If the IASA wants to own the decision, for their local folks, by each individual school district, to be the ones to say “open” or “close”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:07 pm
I’m not sure it’s a good idea to leave these decisions totally up to the locals. The state needs to take the lead on these decisions.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:08 pm
- a nice mixer every once in a while-
I wouldn’t expect much support at those mixers anytime soon. Frankly, this level of arrogance and disregard for life should cause heads to roll. And I have no doubt the GO won’t forget about this press release anytime soon…..
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:09 pm
===decisions to close school districts will remain at the local level in consultation with your local public health department and IDPH, ====
I’m sure a phone call from the Gov office just like the one the mayor of Springfield received about the St Pats parade will help sway those local decisions.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:10 pm
What the association says differs completely from what my children’s school administrations, one grade school and one high school, are saying. The school administrations are placing this on the governor office.
Comment by Stas Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:13 pm
Beyond the spread of illness, schools have to also be aware of the impact a statewide closure would have on the community it serves. If a school closes for a day due to emergency that’s one thing but if it closes for three weeks there has to be some ability for the community to prepare itself for that. If schools close, daycares will be closed. Parents will be scrambling looking for childcare. Companies that already have a work from home policy will be fine. Folks living on the edge are already about to lose hours at their jobs, an extra day or two of work may mean the ability to buy groceries necessary and have gas for the car if necessary. A draw down and community plan is needed before sending over a million children who can’t be alone into no mans land. These aren’t college kids.
If the Gov’s folks do decide to shut down they need plans for what to do with children from low income areas, hourly wage earners who now can’t work. You can’t just close schools and say good luck.
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:14 pm
=== The school administrations are placing this on the governor office.===
Owning a decision is tough.
Writing a press release is easy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:15 pm
Leaving such a decision up to local admins would be the worst way to do this.
Slighty behind of using a magic 8-ball.
Local adinistrators do not have the access to the relevant facts to make this decision competently.
Which doesn’t mean they won’t think they should.
Comment by Morty Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:16 pm
Think that quote is being misinterpreted. IASA works well with the gov and probably implied that they’d been told that the decision would remain local.
Comment by FWIW2 Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:21 pm
Schools may close two to four weeks for a teacher strike, this is far worse, considering the health ramifications.I don’t understand the hesitation.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:21 pm
===Leaving such a decision up to local admins===
Notice it says IDPH
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:24 pm
To Frank Talks
This. My husband and I are both state workers. His job cannot be done from home. Mine can, but we have no work from home policy. If daycare closes, we will be in a bind. Yes, we both have a few days on the books, but not enough for an indefinite shut down. Before schools are closed, the Governor needs to have a concrete plan to support working families and to ensure that kids that rely on school meals are provided for. This is not a decision that can be made hastily.
Comment by A State Worker Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:24 pm
I think some are misinterpreting this message. IASA works very well with the Governor’s office and is very likely in coordination with this message too. It’s clear they are saying this is a decision on closure that’s with guidance from IDPH.
Comment by Jerry2 Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:35 pm
Some school districts are starting to tell staff that schools are open but all other activities (including sports) are canceled.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:35 pm
===This is not a decision that can be made hastily.===
I fully appreciate the hardship it will cause lots of people. And I’d fully expect schools to remain open as shelters for children who need that and meals. But if the schools aren’t closed, a huge vector for infection remains open and could contribute to our health system being overwhelmed. And in that case, people unnecessarily die. So, for me, in the balance between causing hardship for some on one hand and death for others on the other hand, I choose hardship. Apologies.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:36 pm
“at this point in time.”
Are they working in coordination with the Governor, or is somebody about to be out of a job?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:38 pm
=== Just to be clear, decisions to close school districts will remain at the local level in consultation with your local public health department and IDPH, at this point in time. Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions.===
“…decisions to close school districts“
This seems to make clear that an overall “all schools” is not how they see this. It’s about the *individuality* of the districts.
“will remain at the local level”
This is allowing the locals to be the decision makers, the “buck stops here” kinda marker. However, it’s not “them” weighing?
“…in consultation with your local public health department and IDPH, at this point in time.”
Here lies in the rub. If IDPH decides to weigh in, “consult”, be it all individually focused, or a blanket type advice, then it will be what the experts will give to locals. We’ll see, if this is a case by case call
“Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions.“
This allows both listed above “some” cover for “experts” to dictate, while… IDPH is still an agency under the Governor.
Still, it’s one interesting paragraph.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:43 pm
If you will read the letter from a different perspective…it appears that the bold print text is there to emphasize to superintendents that they should not sit back and wait for a decision from either ISBE or the Governor’s office since both had clearly Indicated earlier in the week that the decision to close would be made locally based on the local health department recommendations.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:45 pm
“Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions.“
OW, this feels rudderless. When dealing with a pandemic, how can closure be optional? You either think the virus can spread or you don’t. If you close your schools but the next district over does not, the virus spreads. I hope the Governor has something way better than this to offer us.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:49 pm
=Writing a press release is easy. =
This isn’t a press release, it was a message to superintendents from the association. Not sure why everyone is reading this as a standoff with the Gov. Clear your heads for a minute. This reads like they have knowledge that a closure order isn’t coming, and they are trying to advise supers on how to make the decisions for their districts.
Comment by phenom_Anon Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:51 pm
=If you will read the letter from a different perspective…it appears that the bold print text is there to emphasize to superintendents that they should not sit back and wait for a decision from either ISBE or the Governor’s office since both had clearly Indicated earlier in the week that the decision to close would be made locally based on the local health department recommendations. =
This sounds like the more obvious perspective to me.
Comment by phenom_Anon Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:52 pm
==This is not a decision that can be made hastily.==
Yes it is.
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:56 pm
===this feels rudderless. When dealing with a pandemic, how can closure be optional? You either think the virus can spread or you don’t.===
I think that line about the Guv and ISBE is there to give cover so experts are the mitigating factor influencing, not another board or governor. It’s “smart” to the process.
To the rudderless, yeah, until any type of decisions, outside of saying or doing nothing, it appears like words and little else.
Also, to the arbitrary nature of it, it could, for example be giving Chicago schools (CPS) some cover to approach any closing or hybrid opening different than say… Oswego 308.
We could know more in 5 min or so… think 5pm presser is scheduled.
Stay well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 4:57 pm
=== This isn’t a press release===
I was being flippant. If this is a precursor of some sort, the map to follow seems… well, IDPH and the governor aren’t gonna talk, but take the governor out of the input?
Ok. Now what?
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:00 pm
It is my hope that this is the call of the IDPH. As OW says, “Governor’s own.” But, good Governors defer to people with expertise.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:10 pm
@Joebidenopoulos- Children being left at home alone or not being able to eat for a few days is a life and death situation as well.
Not saying you can’t close schools but there needs to be a draw down of schools if they are being shut. At a minimum there needs to be a real plan in place to ensure the safety, beyond whether they catch COVID, of all the children in the state. Just telling everyone good luck is not a plan that can realistically take care of children.
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:14 pm
=== It is my hope that this is the call of the IDPH. … But, good Governors defer to people with expertise.===
Amen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:16 pm
So, now it looks like IASA knew what they were talking about. Someone at IASA is obviously talking with Guv office.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:42 pm
Frank talks-
How many kids died during the two-week strike, which kept the schools open for food and shelter just like I suggested?
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:02 pm
Maybe if the state funded education at the constitutionally mandated levels….oh nevermind just let IDPH make the call. The goal is to stop the spread from possible carriers to those that are more vulnerable. Make a call deal with it.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:18 pm