Keystone Academy board votes to open school on Aug. 31

At its regular board meeting on July 14, held in person and virtually via Google Meet, the Keystone Academy Board of Directors heard Principal Jorvanna Drain report on what she knew for the fall school year.
She said a poll of stakeholders – families and teachers — wanted the school year to start Aug. 31 and be over on June 11.
The board voted unanimously to start school on Aug. 31, amending the school calendar.
At a special meeting on Aug. 6, the board again approved the starting time.
Also at that meeting, which was held in person and virtually, the board approved an adjustment to the nine-year contract with Bay Mills Community College, which charters Keystone.
Board President Vesta Losen said everyone will wear masks in the hallways and other common areas, but not in the classrooms K-5. And, they will have recess.
At the July 14 meeting, Principal Drain said that Keystone is in the fourth phase, according to the governor, and that would mean a hybrid school session, with half the kids going two days each (M-T), one day when nobody comes and the school is disinfected (W), and then the other half of the students goes two days (Th-F).
“We are in the hands of the state and are in the Detroit region and Detroit is a 4. The governor determines what phase we are. When we get the count in August, we’ll know what kind of school we will have,” Drain said.
She said NHA has ordered 25,000 Chromebooks and so if virtual education is what is left, they will be ready with everyone having a Chromebook.
Drain said if it’s 100% remote, teachers will teach and give tests.
Otherwise, teachers will have to wear masks all day long and they will have to plan for recesses and a lot of different changes.
“We want to make sure they receive a quality education,” Drain said of the students.
She said the school polled the staff three weeks earlier and staff was positive about going back in person, and she doesn’t know if that has changed.
Drain said NHA is offering a full virtual school, free online, but it has to be approved by the state.
She said Van Buren Public Schools are starting Sept. 1, 2, and 3 and then reconvening the next Tuesday. She said Keystone will go the full five days starting Aug. 31.
NHA representative Andrew Roth said there were six plans being studied: generally remote, hybrid, and in person. All 51 school boards in Michigan are approving the plan that will be announced.
In other business at its July 14 meeting, the board welcomed Steve Harsant of Van Buren Township who was officially sworn in as a new board member, replacing Connie Shull who resigned due to family health problems.