Elizabeth Forward leaders exploring options in wake of fire

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Talk about the recent fire at Elizabeth Forward High School dominated the conversation at Wednesday night’s school board meeting.
The Elizabeth Forward school board and those in the audience heard an update on the subject from Superintendent Keith Konyk.
The crowd also heard from three student representatives who talked about efforts to support students, teachers and programming since the Feb. 11 fire forced high school students out of school and into virtual, remote learning.
Several school board members also spoke on the subject, saying they’re working with the administration and myriad others to get students back into a brick and mortar classroom as quickly but safely as possible.
Several options are being explored to make that happen, district leaders said — also admitting that they, as of Wednesday night, couldn’t offer a firm timeline for when students will end up back in the classroom.
Taxpayers and/or parents offering remarks during the public comment section of the meeting Wednesday said they didn’t wish to place blame, but wanted answers about the fire and what the district’s plans are in the aftermath.
Some who spoke, such as Lesley Messina and Kellianne Frketic, said they aren’t thrilled with students learning virtually and wanted to know what plan, if any, there is to get students back into the classroom of a physical building.
Messina said she also has questions about whether students and teachers will be exposed to environmentally hazardous materials or particulate matter if they head back to school in a building where a fire occurred and where smoke spread throughout the hallways and classrooms.
She also questioned whether there’s a possibility that students might not make it back to a brick and mortar classroom before the end of the 2022-23 school year, and if there’s a possibility that the district might have to build a completely new high school building.

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