Plymouth School Board members took time Tuesday night to review recent actions taken by Superintendent Andy Hartley and a resolution to allow him to make emergency actions during this public health emergency.
Hartley told MAX 98.3 FM News that those actions included the closure of school as announced on March 12 and followed the State’s actions to close schools for the remainder of the school year. He authorized the initiation of food service for students throughout the rest of the school year and the continued partnership with Cultivate and Blessings in a Backpack. Hartley collaborated with other administrators and directors to determine essential employees and to help get eLearning set up for students. All principals and secretaries can work from home and to only be on site as needed.
Hartley also authorized custodians to document cleaning all rooms and put up signs that requires anyone to document entry into the rooms.
He authorized the release of ultraviolet light disinfecting cabinets and personal protective equipment to the St. Joseph Health Systems.
Employees will continue to be paid with existing contractural obligations.
Hartley also followed the request of the Marshall County Health Department in asking staff members traveling to Marshall County from out of state to self-quarantine for 14 days.
The resolution approved by the board, who met by teleconference, allows Hartley to continue to make emergency decisions on behalf of the school board to be ratified at a public meeting. One emergency call could be to approve the use of school facilities and to approve use of school vehicles, including buses, for transportation to respond to or to address community needs during the public emergency period, among other things.
