Johnson County Board of Education announces back to school plan

Published 12:21 pm Thursday, August 6, 2020

MOUNTAIN CITY/JOHNSON COUNTY — On Wednesday, August 5th the Johnson County
Board of Education met in special session to discuss four potential options for reopening Johnson
County Schools.

On Tuesday, August 4th Director of Schools, Dr. Mischelle Simcox released the four potential

reopening options to all Johnson County Schools employees, asking them to complete a
one-question survey about which plan they would like to see.

The results from this survey as well as some other resources were presented to the Board of Education

to assist the board in making the best decision possible.

The Johnson County Board of Education unanimously voted to implement the following plan to
safely reopen the district to students.

Johnson County Schools will start with Full Virtual classes from August 17-28, then the Board will

reassess the current situation.

During virtual learning the following measures will be followed:

– Staff members will be on-site and teachers will be delivering instruction over virtual
platforms with posted office hours.

– Students will not be on site. They will be actively engaged five days per week and will
be held accountable for their learning.

– Students will receive grades based on daily class assignments, projects, and exams.

– Nutritional services will be provided for students who have completed the required
information through the school nutrition department. (This form will be made available to
our parents within the next day or so).

– Bus routes will deliver meals to students who have completed the required
information.

– Meal pick-up will be available at Mountain City Elementary daily between 11:00-
12:00.

– Johnson County Schools have a limited number of mobile technology devices that can be
used by students who do not have access to technology at their home. These devices will
be given at the school level on a first-come basis, one device per family.

– Johnson County Schools has extended our wireless access to school and central office
parking lots for students who cannot receive internet access at their homes.

Additional measures will be considered on a case by case basis for students unable to access
adequate internet for virtual learning.

– Student email addresses have been issued for all students in PreK-12 and will be the
primary means of communication.

– Employees can bring their school-age children to remain in their classrooms/offices.

– Per Governor Lee’s Executive Order 55, Activities are allowed per the TSSAA COVID-
19 Sports Regulations, and the Northeast Tennessee School Systems Athletics Activity
Return to Action Plan guidance.

More information concerning athletics and before/after school childcare will be discussed at
regularly scheduled August 13th school board meeting.

The Johnson County School board also voted to eliminate fall break and some other single day

holidays to make up for previously delaying the start of school.

A full updated school calendar will be released in the coming days.