By HOI ABC
NORMAL – Even though children are learning at home during the COVID-19 crisis, McLean County’s largest school district continues to deliver tens of thousands of meals to students.
Administrators also announced at Wednesday night’s virtual school board meeting they’re making it easier for students to meet requirements for physical exams and to have necessary immunizations for the next school year, according to our news partner Heart of Illinois ABC.
In addition, board members chose a new president to lead them for the next year as part of the board’s annual reorganization.
The district on Wednesday surpassed 50,000 “grab and go” breakfasts and lunches distributed since schools closed last month, a “monumental” figure, Unit 5’s Communications and Community Relations Director Dayna Brown told the school board.
The meals are available for children whether or not they qualify free or reduced-priced meals. At dozens of sites in the district, families can pick up multiple meals to limit the number of times they have to leave their homes.
Administrators also reported they’re temporarily changing their policy of keeping children out of school if they don’t have their physicals and immunizations by the first day of classes in August.
Instead, they have to show proof they have appointments to get physicals and immunizations done by October 15, which is the state requirement.
“As a result of COVID-19, the McLean County Health Department has indicated that it does not know what its immunization capabilities will be this summer. Also, several pediatrician offices were closed to patients for several weeks, and are just beginning to see patients, which could create a backlog,” Brown told the school board.
In other business, during the board’s annual reorganization, members unanimously picked Amy Roser to be the board’s president. She replaces Barry Hitchins, who served two years as president, but remains on the board.
Alan Kalitzky is the new vice president, and Kelly Pyle is the new board secretary. All three were appointed to the school board in 2018 and elected to their posts the following year.
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