Jones Community,
I’m sure you’re aware of the difficult decisions the education community has had to deal with this last week. We have certainly had to wrestle with those decisions here in our community. It’s fair to say almost everyone in education agrees that, while a significant first step, the recent revenue added to the education budget is not enough to offset a decade of cuts and return the system to an appropriate level. However, our faculty and staff are divided over continuing to stay out of the classroom past Monday. The survey that was completed late Friday showed that about 70%(48 of 69) of our faculty will be in class on Tuesday. Today we started receiving messages from teachers that were feeling compelled to join the group at the Capitol, and we do not blame them for arriving at that conclusion. It is evidence of how complicated and difficult this decision is. On Friday, I decided we should respect the opinion of the majority of the faculty throughout the district and have school on Tuesday. The staff available would be just enough to continue with modified instruction. Since then I have watched our community become divided over this issue. This is deeply troubling for everyone, and no one wants this to continue this way. All of us want the same thing: a good education for our students. In that, we continue to be unified. I have tried to reach out when I’ve had the opportunity (sorry for inserting my thoughts to some of the Facebook posts), and the returned dialogue is always respectful and appreciated. I believe continued action at the Capitol carries a significant threat of losing the support of many in the state. However, there are also many that would never remove their support, and I hope with their help, we can overcome those challenges. After considerable reflection and conversations with thoughtful board of education members and other area superintendents, I have decided to change our position. We will remain closed for Tuesday and evaluate on a daily basis after. I apologize for the late changes, but this is a situation that presents new challenges almost hourly. Also, I am not turning my back on those that feel we should return to class on Tuesday. We can make those days up, but we can’t get back an opportunity lost. Please refer back to the community letter I sent last week that outlined the plan for missing school. I am including the bullet points here. The breakfast and lunch program will be reinstated beginning Tuesday morning, and we need Juniors to be at the high school by 8:30 Tuesday morning to take the ACT exam. This is an important exam for your future, and it is mandatory.- Eastern Oklahoma County Career Tech will remain open and provide transportation from Jones High School. (please refer to EOC for more information)
- Because teachers and coaches responsible for extra-curricular activities are on separate contracts for those duties, extra-curricular activities will continue as scheduled.
- The ACT test scheduled for April 3 will be conducted as scheduled
- AP tests will be conducted as scheduled
- Free breakfast (8-9:30) and lunch (10:30 – 12) will be available for all students at the elementary and high school.
- Any time missed will be made up as follows:
- This academic year has to be concluded prior to July 1.
- If school is canceled beyond 30 days, it will be difficult to make up the 1080 hours required by the state prior to July 1.
- For every day (6 hours) below the 1080 hours we are not in school, the district will probably lose funding and teachers will lose salary.
- While school is closed, offices will be closed and school personnel will not be available.
- Absences during the added (make-up) time will be counted. This will be regular academic time.
Jones Public Schools closed Tuesday, April 3
April 3, 2018