A parent who was concerned about the number of times her student has been quarantined addressed the R-2 Board of Education on Nov. 24 to discuss alternative learning methods because virtual learning isn’t good enough.

Board President Joey Butler II gave Felena Budnik the standard two minutes to address the board — where only one director was wearing a face mask. Budnik began by asking board members if they had read her submitted letter. Board members said they had.

“My son has been quarantined twice already and has had one week of school time — one week of lecture time — in the whole month of November,” she began. “I am a student myself and know the struggles of virtual learning. I live in Belle so I know the struggles with WiFi, but we have got to be doing something better than sending these kids home for weeks at a time.”

Budnik claimed there was one student who came back for a day and was sent home another two weeks. She asked if cameras could be purchased and used to upload teacher videos to Google Classroom to make it easier for students to learn when they are in quarantine or e-learning. She justified the extra time for teachers to make a video and upload it by concluding that in an eight hour day, educators teach maybe three different classes a day — sometimes four. Therefore the video could be used by multiple classes because teachers would only need to record four times.

“There is plenty of documentation on the DESE website, and if not, Google it,” Budnik said. “Teachers could make a video YouTube Channel if they wanted.”

She said sending students home for two weeks at a time means, “they are only missing out on an education.” She added that her student had one teacher out of eight who recorded class lectures and projects. Otherwise, he mostly just received emails. Her student would complete the assignments and turn them in.

“But I asked him at the end of this week how much of that stuff that he remembered and he said ‘nothin.’ I said ‘not one thing?’ and he said ‘no.’ He was just rushing through it and going through the motions,” Budnik said. “I know that there are a lot of students in the district that can’t do that (watch the lectures during the day) but there are also a lot who can.”

Budnik said by learning online they are missing out on the building blocks to get into college and do well.

“Rural communities now, we haven’t even hit our peak yet,” she said. “I remember several months ago, people in Belle saying, ‘it’s not going to get to us.’ Well, it’s here and it’s here in full force. We really need to remember what is most important is getting these kids educated and keeping them safe. There has to be something different to not only educate our kids, but to help keep them in the schools. Masks. Rolla has issued a citywide mask mandate.”

She told the board that she understands elementary can’t do masks, but junior high and high school kids are both at the age where they can understand the importance of it and know how to wear one properly.

She asked the board to consider other options other than quarantine because it may work for other kids, but does not work for hers.

“At one point the whole boys basketball team was quarantined, and they are doing virtual practice,” she continued.

Butler stopped Budnik and told her she was over her time.

“Normally we don’t have a back and forth conversation here, but I think it is safe to say that we all appreciate the thought, effort and research done on it whether they agree or disagree on each side. We appreciate you taking the time, showing your concern and sharing with us.”