On whether schools will open on the date planned, Dr. Crouse said,

“It’s sort of a dance there on whether we will be able to do that fully at first or whether we have to roll into that.”

Loveland, Ohio – With a unanimous vote this afternoon in a Special Meeting the Loveland School Board gave authorization to the administration to sign a proposal from LJB Inc. for “Pandemic Preparedness and Planning” services.

LJB will provide the services for a “lump sum fee” of $66,250.

The “terms of the contract” were not available for the Board and after questions from Eileen Washburn about them, Superindent Dr. Amy Crouse said she did not understand the question. After further discussion by Washburn who asked about a cancellation clause and other things in a typical contract, Board President Dr. Kathy Lorenz pointed them to a sentence in the proposal that said, “A formal professional services agreement will be sent for your review and signature upon receipt of this Authorization.”

Kevin Dougherty said it would be standard to negotiate terms. Crouse said she doesn’t currently have it, “But I can provide that to you.”

Dr. Crouse said that after the first week of the study, which will be of the Elementary School, there may be a need to have further discussion about whether classes can begin as scheduled.

The complete study will take four weeks and will begin on Monday, July 27.

At a previous Special Meeting on Wednesday, July 15, with a unanimous vote, the Loveland Board of Education approved a reopening plan for the Loveland City School District for the 2020-2021 school year. Preschool, kindergarten, and 1st through 12th grades will attend 5 days per week at “full capacity” (no “all-day” kindergarten) with the option of choosing to attend school online.

The first day of instruction for all students is scheduled to be Wednesday, August 26.

Michele Pettit asked if after the study of the Elementary building was complete would the opening of instruction go as planned or would there have to be a delay.

Crouse answered, “It’s sort of a dance there on whether we will be able to do that fully at first or whether we have to roll into that.”

Crouse also talked about the unknowns of COVID 19 spread in the community.

Crouse told the Board that it is likely that there will be times throughout the year that they will not be able to provide in-person learning, and the study will provide guidance for that.

Loveland Magazine will up-date this story when the “Terms” of the contract are known.

The meeting was live-streamed and you can still view it here: https://youtu.be/KcKJMKUCiMU