The Salisbury Township School District board of directors held a curriculum and technology committee meeting via Zoom Oct. 26.

The first order of business was for Associate Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten to present the 2019-2020 demographic update, which provides a picture of how the district’s makeup evolves and changes over time.

White students make up the majority of the district, at 64.2 percent, down slightly from last year at around 67 percent. The report also looked at economically disadvantaged students in the district.

In 2018, the percentage of students utilizing the free or reduced meal program sat at 35.5 percent and was up in 2019-2020 to 36.7 percent. There was also an increase in English language learners, special education and gifted students in the district as well.

Last year, 95 learners were enrolled in charter schools or 5.8 percent of the student population. The total number of students in the Salisbury Township school district for 2019-2020 was 1,522.

Kelly Pauling, director of teaching and learning provided the TL 2020 update for the evening. “We’ve been busy!” she said, before heading into a presentation that led with the state of planning for a return to face-to-face instruction.

Parents of students in kindergarten and first grades have been surveyed and the results are currently being analyzed. The next steps toward achieving the return of students to schools include surveying parents of students in second through eighth grades, having collaborative conversations at the building level and developing options for in-person learning for secondary school students.

For special education, additional caveats have been examined. All students in kindergarten and first grades who have individualized education plans will return to face-to-face instruction. For students in grades 2-12, the IEP team will reach decisions for individual learners. Staffing for special education is low, however, with only 82 percent of teachers and 87 percent of instructional assistants providing instruction and support currently, which means staffing for an in-person learning scenario is an area of potential concern.

Social Emotional Learning is especially critical for students in the current environment. The plan is to continue to build a strong foundation for SEL through schoolwide behavior supports, the Leader In Me program, continuing with monthly guidance lessons for students in kindergarten through fifth grades and to work in earnest with stakeholders to continue to offer clubs and after school activities.

A revised calendar was presented by Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss with major changes including a proposed start date for in-person learning for kindergarten and first grade students Nov. 16, preceded by parent-teacher conferences which would be moved to Nov. 10-13. The calendar will be on the agenda for an official vote at the next board meeting.

The next meeting of the curriculum and technology committee will be held Dec. 2, via Zoom, immediately following the operations committee meeting.