Tonight (2020-06-23) was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education (BoE).
A number of end of year reports/actions. Apart from the impact from the panic, little stood out (besides what is noted below).
There will be a Graduation Parade Sunday 6/28 at ~1PM. Looks to be starting across from Honeoye Falls Market Place (near the former Custom Brewcrafter’s), ending at the Fireman’s Field (321 Monroe St). Good on them for having one. Who knows, we might be starting a new tradition here.
As with the last few meetings, review of the Code of Conduct continued. Baring surprises, next meeting will be the approval. Likely with no discussion, as it has been all discussed out.
While the definition of ‘Illegal Substance’ was changed, it looks to still consider sugar and textbooks contraband (as examples). Amusingly enough, the verbiage change now makes the definitions of ‘Illegal Substance’ and ‘Under the Influence’ recursive. Which is to say, ‘Illegal Substances’ are ones where you are ‘Under the Influence’. While ‘Under the Influence’ is what happens when you (mis)use ‘Illegal Substances’. Thus requring external context for actual definitions.
Masks inside school buildings, still “Not Acceptable”. I’ll agree, it is the sane and rational stance, but will it be enforced? No, because ‘health guidelines’ is listed as an exception. Combined with the above, raises questions as to the value of the code in the first place. If it doesn’t mean what it says, what is the point to having it?
Rules (law, code, etc) only have value so far as they are both understood and enforced. If their meaning is too flexible, compliance becomes impossible, as you never actually know what the rules mean. Likewise, if enforcement is lacking, compliance becomes counterproductive, as obeying puts you at a disadvantage in comparison to the rule breakers. Examples abound outside of school, I’m sure you can think of a few. So why would school be any different? Thus the rules need to be clearly understandable (by the students) and consistently enforced (by the staff).
Verbiage around Superintendent’s hearings was tweaked some more. Looks good to me, but I’m probably not the person to ask on that, as I thought it looked good enough at the start.
Next years meeting dates were approved. Time to update my calendar, even if a few of them will likely change by the time we get around to them. Although, as was pointed out, the pattern of 2nd/4th Tuesdays is reasonably predictable.
And as an aside, I missed the last meeting, as it was off the regular pattern (for reasons), so I had a scheduling conflict. But, thanks to the meetings being recorded, I was able to watch it afterwards. Hopefully the recordings will continue once sanity returns.
Gary (followed quickly by others) applauded those who made the election work (in particular Rhonda). It was a very different election this year. Those involved rose to the challenge, but I suspect they are hoping the next one is back to ‘normal’.
As happens at this meeting each year, there was discussion about next year’s Board President and Vice President. Was surprisingly short, as in essence, those currently filling the roles were willing to continue, and no one else was willing to challenge them for it. Of course, opinions could change by next meeting. Not that I expect that to happen.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the June 23, 2020 meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education.
As has become the norm for this group, Agenda’s and similar information can be found at HFL’s BoardDocs page. While a recording of the meeting will likely be available soon.