ASHLAND — Less than 35 percent of eligible staff in the Ashland City School District have signed up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tammy Stevens.
The majority of the staff, including coaches and regular substitutes, did not return a form expressing interest in the vaccine by the deadline of Monday, Jan. 25.
“We’ve been very proactive, I think, as a district to make sure people have the information to make an educated decision,” Stevens said.
Approximately 550 individuals received the form, and less than 35 percent returned it. The more than 65 percent of others did not reply at all, the assistant superintendent explained at the Monday evening Board of Education meeting.
The lack of interest surprised Board of Education member Brandon Wells.
“I’m just concerned we’re going to get to the fall and still be in the same situation. I know it’s everybody’s individual decision, and I respect that, but boy, I would just encourage as many staff and teachers as possible to take that vaccine,” Wells said.
Dr. James Wolfe also advocated for the vaccine, saying he’s received it himself.
“Thirty-five percent is better than nothing,” Wolfe said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced earlier this month that employees of K-12 schools would be included in “Phase 1B” of the state’s vaccine distribution plan. School employees would become eligible on Feb. 1, the same week as those age 70 and older.
By vaccinating K-12 staff in February, DeWine said the state hopes all districts can return to in-person or hybrid learning by March 1. Ashland City Schools has offered a fully in-person option since the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.
Ashland City School District is expected to partner with Drug Mart in Ashland to complete its staff’s vaccinations. The vaccination clinic may be held on district property, if possible, Stevens said.
The school district’s COVID-19 dashboard reported five active cases of COVID-19 between students and staff. An additional 39 students were quarantined due to exposure to the virus.
According to Stevens, there was not a spike in cases after Christmas as there had been after Thanksgiving.
Ashland BOE approves additional compensation for teachers due to pandemic-related responsibilities
In other news from Monday’s meeting:
— The board of education unanimously approved an employment contract for Sheryl Shaw Stewart to become the ACSD treasurer. The contract is effective Jan. 1, 2021.
In late 2020, Shaw Stewart had been chosen as interim director.
Ashland City School BOE member resigns, treasurer retires
— Ben Spieldenner provided the board with an online resource update, showing that staff has increasingly found ways to use the tools, Canvas and Kami, to teach lessons in an online setting.
The amount of content uploaded to Canvas and the number of annotations made via Kami increased every month during the fall semester.
“All those digital lessons are ours forever… we’re building this wonderful library,” Superintendent Doug Marrah said.
— A retired educator and current substitute teacher, Ken Hammontree urged the board to consider pay increases for substitute teachers.
“I really feel the board needs to take a real good look at what you pay subs,” Hammontree said.
He cited higher rates at Mansfield, Ontario, Shelby and Madison School Districts where he also works as a substitute teacher.
Superintendent Marrah said the board was looking into this.
Ashland School Board approves new rate for substitute teachers
