Meridian school board presents budget at public hearing

The Meridian Public School District school board on Monday tabled a plan for phase three of returning students to the classroom.

Schools were closed in March as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, and students began to attend school virtually in August.

They returned to campus on a modified schedule on Sept. 8, with elementary students  attending four days a week and secondary students attending twice a week. Wednesdays are virtual learning days. 

Superintendent Amy Carter said the next phase involves transitioning all secondary students to the classroom four days a week starting the week of Oct. 15. The plan also includes extending the school day, with elementary students starting at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 3:10 p.m. Secondary students would start at 8 a.m. and end at 2:35 p.m.

Board members said they wanted to review the plan before approving it at future meeting. 

Other business:

Technology director Tim Boutwell provided an update on technology, which included online learning options for students. Boutwell said 1,490 students are enrolled in online learning. 

Boutwell said $1.7 million from the CARES Act and the Equity in Distance Learning Act will be used to purchase 396 Windows laptops, 931 iPads and 2486 Chromebooks.

iPads will be mostly for K-1 students, while 2-12 students will be provided Chromebooks and teachers will be provided with Windows laptops.