October 8, 2021

Dear Preston Learning Community,

We hope this message finds you and your family healthy and happy. As we move through the challenges of the pandemic and working to stay with face-to-face instruction we emphasize: Every student needs to be safe, be seen, be fed, and school needs to remain open for both students and parents. These goals are underpinnings of our thinking as we rearrange staff, bus routes and materials every day.

Below you will find updates on staffing, transportation, food supply, and other aspects district operations. We are pleased that through the efforts of staff, parents, and students, we have been able to continue face-to-face instruction. However, there remain many challenges.

UPDATE

Several times over the course of the new school year, the district has had staff deficits that were not covered because no substitutes were available. Our principals had to pull available staff, rework the schedule of students and staff, and create other ways to allow students to experience as much face-to-face instruction as possible, have breakfast and lunch, and keep school open. COVID certainly contributed to these challenges, but it was not always the primary cause of disruption. Substitute teachers, paraeducators, custodians, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers are all in limited supply.

The issue of limited substitutes is not easily solved. In the last year, Preston and districts around the state have raised substitute fees in many categories, continuously posted for new staff, used third party substitute providers such as STA and Kelly Services, reorganized the school day, and sought other methods to cover classes so that students can stay in school. We have not been universally successful in covering classes.

Many are familiar with the district’s request to parents to make sure you have a foul weather plan for your family and students to follow. We ask this because we know how unpredictable the weather can be and because the probability of a disruptive storm is increasing. In addition, there are now two other probable circumstances that may require alternative planning that are not likely to resolve as we get control of the pandemic - Transportation and Food Supply Chain.

Transportation:

Across the nation, reports of the bus driver shortages have held front-page news. Since the beginning of this year, in Preston, our relatively small and dedicated transportation team has had to make many adjustments in response to COVID and the lack of available substitute and full-time bus drivers. There is a possibility that any day we could find ourselves so depleted of drivers that transportation would not be available for particular bus runs or your student. Even though we make adjustments every day to continue to provide predictable transportation routines, disruptions are likely to occur.

Please continue to be aware and do what you can to prepare your child for such a disruption.

Food Supply Chain:

At our Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 4, 2021, our food services coordinator explained the significant food supply chain disruptions the entire nation is facing. In Preston, the supply chain disruption manifests itself in decreased availability of the usual variety of food items and may require repeated and unpredictable adjustments in school menus.

Please be aware that the unpredictable nature of the school lunch menus will continue for the foreseeable future and that families should plan accordingly.

In summary, limited substitutes in many areas, limited alternatives in classrooms, transportation, and food supplies will shape the operations of the district beyond the disruption of the pandemic and may, juxtaposed with the pandemic, lead the district to an unwanted daily closure that will feel similar to a traditional snow day announcement. As I reported to the Board of Education, staffing challenges are every day, and we could be driven to a school cancellation due soley to staffing. It is only through the efforts of our principals, staff, the transportation team, what subs we can attract, and the overall 96% vaccination rate that we are staying open.

A steady return to familiar routines:

Even as we address the challenges noted above, the district is moving forward with a search for a new Director of Finance and many other projects. Sports, after-school activities, our partnership with town parks and recreation activities, seasonal activities, and reexamining locker use at the middle school will all slowly return as we maintain a low transmission rate and a healthy school environment. Watch as we begin to restore these student-based activities over the fall season. Keep in mind that these activities will remain only as long as we sustain a healthy learning environment.

Substitutes:

To reiterate, we need substitutes for paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians, and teachers. If you are interested, don't hesitate to get in touch with the central office at 860-889-6098.

If you have any questions regarding the topics in this letter, please contact your building principals or the central office at 860-889-6098.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Preston Public Schools.

Be safe. Be well.

Roy Seitsinger

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