Willow Springs Board of Education Talks Distance Learning, Gears up for School Year

At the Willow Springs School Board meeting on August 10, Board members approved offers of employment to Andrew Coursen as the Technology Director and to two paraprofessionals: Kristy Osborn and Sabrina Furry. The Board also approved a supplemental contract for Kyle Wake as the Head Football Coach for the middle school. Lindsey Osborn was approved as a substitute. The Board accepted resignations from the following nurse Janet Newman, bus driver Jim Owens, and paraprofessional Jessica Walden. 

Superintendent of Schools Bill Hall gave an update to the community reaction to the school’s reopening plan. 

“We have received feedback, which is both negative and positive,” he said.

By way of an update, Hall told the Board that the State of Missouri has been able to acquire 2 million masks, which will be enough for every student in the state to receive two masks that can be laundered.

At the time of the meeting, 33 kids had enrolled in distance learning with the district’s own teachers. Seven students were enrolled in virtual learning, which will be provided by educators outside the school district. 

The district has ordered 50 hotspots to facilitate distance or virtual learning. At the time of the meeting, the administration knew they would need to issue 9 hot spots and 18 Chromebooks to the 40 children who will be utilizing alternative methods of instruction. 

The first day of school in Willow Springs is August 24.