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2 <br /> Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m., and asked for a Roll Call. <br /> Welcome and Opening Remarks <br /> Chair Rich thanked the schools and staff for offering a sound basic education to students <br /> in Orange County. She said decisions made today will affect tomorrow, and there is no way to <br /> please everyone. She said the New York Times said 12 million children in America are without <br /> technology services to continue educational opportunities. She said broadband has been an <br /> issue on which the County has been working for several years, and is an example of top down <br /> policy that is not effective. She said the County will aid Orange County Schools (OCS) in <br /> purchasing 1000 additional hotspots. <br /> Chair Rich said both districts have created learning centers for students who do not have <br /> technology services or family at home to help in the learning process. <br /> Mary Ann Wolfe expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate. She said <br /> Schools are the hub of the community, which has never been more clear than in this time. She <br /> said equity has never been more important, and it goes beyond the issue of broadband. She <br /> said wonderful work has been done through the Food for Students program, for food insecurity, <br /> as well as supporting students academically, socially and emotionally. She said she is an <br /> eternal optimist, and believes this pandemic will end. She said once it does there will be new <br /> challenges. <br /> Mary Ann Wolfe expressed gratitude for the life of Euzelle Smith, former educator and <br /> namesake of Smith Middle School, who passed away recently. She said she was great <br /> reminder of this community's values. <br /> Jennifer Moore and Commissioner Marcoplos joined the meeting at 7:13 p.m. <br /> Hillary MacKenzie thanked the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for the <br /> opportunity to meet collaboratively to best meet the needs of students and families. She said <br /> the community is facing unprecedented needs due to the pandemic, but is also making great <br /> strides, as the nation is reckoning with deep issues of racism. <br /> 1. COVID Updates <br /> a. School reopening <br /> b. Supervised Learning Lab update <br /> c. Technology challenges — internet accessibility and costs <br /> d. Scientific Analyzing Board <br /> e. Food insecurities— Food distribution update <br /> f. Homelessness <br /> g. School Nurses <br /> Dr. Monique Felder said the safety of students and staff is the top priority in OCS. She <br /> said the goal is to have a safe return to in person learning. She said the OCS Board of <br /> Education established a COVID-19 metrics taskforce. She said the taskforce is comprised of a <br /> broad spectrum of people, and the purpose of the taskforce is to monitor trends and follow <br /> metrics. She said the School Board will be monitoring whether to return to in person instruction. <br /> She said currently the district is in a plan C, but plan B would be a hybrid model with both <br />