SDCSC School Board Prepares For Start Of The New School Year

From approving the Re-Entry Plan to discussing the 350 bridge, the South Dearborn Community School Corporation is ready to start the new year.

(Aurora, Ind.) - At Tuesday's school board meeting, the South Dearborn Community School Corporation (SDCSC) School Board gathered to talk about changes in the corporation for the start of the school year. 

Discussion included approving the 2020-2021 Re-Entry Plan and plans surrounding a possible State Road 350 bridge opening delay. Other changes for the upcoming year include staffing changes within the corporation. 

Re-Entry Plan

The SDCSC School Board voted to approve the Re-Entry Plan unanimously 6-0. 

This includes the traditional and online instruction options for parents and students. While this is a fluid situation, changes could be made to the plan as needed or advised by the local health department. 

One change that will be made to the plan is mandatory face coverings for grades 3rd and up, per Governor Holcomb's announcement made on July 22. 

State Road 350 Bridge

Many have concerns surrounding the State Road 350 bridge and what that means for students and their safety. 

Superintendent Eric Lows addressed that the administration is working to see what a delay finish could mean for the corporation. 

"It does present a lot of challenges," says Lows. "If we need to get first responders to the campus, it's going to obviously turn a three or four minute ride from some of those services into a 20 minute drive. Some of the other concerns I have are buses traveling those roadways." 

 It could be possible that a project delay could affect the 2020-2021 start date. 

"In the event we get made aware that the bridge is not going to open in time, one of the first I would be doing is reaching out to board members, talking to them, and getting their opinion one should we consider delaying the start of school or consider possibly eLearning to start with," says Lows. 

At this time, the bridge is scheduled to open August 3.  

Principal Schedule

One of the biggest changes that will be seen in the corporation is in the elementary school's principals offices. 

The 2020-2021 Principal Schedules are as follows:

• Phillippe = AES 5 days a week
• Miller = 3.5 days at DES, 1.5 @ MHES
• Bailey = 3.5 days at MES, 1.5 @ MHES 
• Lows = 1 day at MHES/ Wednesday
• Tanner = 1 day at DES / Friday
• Platt = 1 day at MES / Thursday
• Melton = SDMS 5 days a week

Additionally, Mr. Cheek will be splitting equal time between AES and SDMS acting as Assistant Principal. 

Each principal has been acting in this new role since the end of May. 

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