LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow School Committee discussed at their Feb. 9 meeting how they can safely bring more students in for more in-person learning.

On Feb. 22, the district will be offering in-person learning to fourth grade students. Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea explained, “At the middle school level, they will continue to identify students who would benefit from four days or more a week of learning, but with the understanding that there is a limited additional capacity in the middle school. While the first seniors in the high school level will begin at four days a week beginning on March 1.”

O’Shea also said there is ongoing review of evolving guidelines to maintain safety and enhance the student experience such as lunch, recess and bell schedules as well as expanding time on learning within existing guidelines and agreements on how they can reach the student experience.

Updates on health data and COVID-19 vaccination

Fire Chief John Dearborn joined the meeting with an update on the state health report.

Dearborn stated, “Overall, our community continues to perform well. The numbers continue to drop lower and lower. As of Feb. 9, we have 29 active cases in town. I don’t think we’ll see a color change this week, but if we keep doing a great job, we could probably see ourselves drop down another color change next week.”

As Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan began on Feb. 1, Dearborn informed the committee that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health gave Longmeadow 100 doses per week.

“We started running two vaccination clinics this week. We were able to disburse that 100 doses over the last two days and we did not waste a drop.” he said. After clinic volunteers have been vaccinated, the Phase 2 schedule will be followed beginning with residents 75 years of age and older.

“We have another clinic scheduled for Thursday Feb. 11 and Friday Feb. 12 which we have 75 older residents scheduled for that clinic,” Dearborn replied.

There is a Massachusetts Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 2-1-1. This line is currently only for individuals ages 75 and older who cannot use or have difficulty accessing the internet and therefore are unable to schedule an appointment through the online platforms.

Committee Approvals

The committee then approved the revisions on the Longmeadow Educational Opportunities Booklet for the 2021-2022 school year as presented. They also approved the FY22 proposed School Department budget in the amount of $38,957,781.21 with a general fund allocation of $36,517,421.21 and submit this amount to the town manager for inclusion at the annual town meeting on May 11, 2021.

The committee drafted a letter of advocacy to Governor Baker on prioritizing Pre-k to 12 school staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Governor Baker has previously stated his desire for students to return to in-person learning. However, the committee felt, “it would be difficult to do that while keeping our students and educators safe. The vaccine is a critical part and will help our children get back in the classroom.”

Ultimately the committee approved the letter proposed to Governor Baker by O’Shea and that the chair is authorized to sign it.

At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the 2021-2022 school calendar as presented, the Memorandum of Agreement between the Longmeadow School Committee and the Longmeadow Education Association Unit A regarding English sections at Longmeadow High School and lastly the Memorandum of Understanding between the committee and the Longmeadow Education Association Units A, B, C, D, E, F and H regarding additional COVID–19 sick time as presented.