Page 15 - The Edge - Summer 2020

ADMINISTRATION

BY DALE PONDER
Good from Far, but Far from Good

Dale Ponder

March 2020 was the longest and most interesting month that would permit the district to continue to compensate
of March that I have ever experienced! its employees during a very uncertain and instable time.
We were also appreciative that legislation was drafted
On Sunday, March 15th, when the initial two-week closure and signed into law that gave school districts some
was first announced by the governor and superintendent of equal and improved protections in addressing the impact

public instruction, it only impacted two full instructional of COVID-19, beyond what the resolution may have
days and three half days for parent-teacher conferences. provided. While those are important, and necessary for
sustainability, we had other considerations as well.
Following that, we were set to begin our two-week spring
intersession, and would return to regular session on April
6. At that time, we felt that we were in a great position
where the closure would have minimally impacted our
ability to educate the students we serve, due to the timing
of our calendar. In addition to compensation, budgetary
impacts, and availability of sanitation and cleaning
supplies, we also had some internal conversations about
what considerations should be made for students and staff
members who leave Yuma and the potential for exposing
others upon their return from break.

Furthermore, our district operates under a modified
year-round calendar where we are in session for a
nine-week period and then take a recess, of varying

lengths, depending on the time of year. With a free and Some of our concerns are not solely fiscal, instructional,
reduced-price lunch percentage of 74%, and given that or operational, in nature. Our teachers and school
some of our intersessions are greater than one week, we leadership have done a tremendous job of trying to remain
had already planned to provide meal services over our connected to their students. However, the demographics
scheduled intersession. As all those factors were still of the student population that we serve create challenges
being talked through, on March 20, Gov. Doug Ducey that are not as recognizable when within a controlled
and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman classroom environment. Within our schools, we offer
announced the extension of the closure through April 10. basic amenities like running water, heating and cooling,
and electricity that are not always available within some
Even then, we felt to be in a great position because we of the homes of our students. In addition, all our schools
could learn from many of our peers on their successes provide meals, a safe, loving and welcoming environment
and challenges as they were providing remote educational for students, and the opportunity to explore, learn and
opportunities while we were on break. Ultimately, on problem-solve via the world wide web.
March 30, we were informed that our state leadership
elected to close schools through the end of the year, which Through the support of our local community with a
leads us to this point. We seemed good from far, but we district additional assistance override, we have been able
are certainly far from good – and we knew it. to purchase and provide iPads for every student across
all our campuses. However, when those devices were
Our district administration was thankful to have the issued to the homes of nearly 40% of our student body,
support of our Governing Board in executing a resolution
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