With a return to in-person learning expected early in 2021, the Oak Park and River Forest High School board has approved the hiring of up to 65 temporary positions to assist with the school’s hybrid learning plan.
During a special meeting Dec. 22, the board unanimously approved the creation of temporary positions of classroom monitor and safety monitor. Staff in both those roles will be inside the school building during second semester.
Administrators say up to 55 classroom monitors and up to 10 safety monitors are expected to be hired for the upcoming semester. Though an official start date has yet to be determined, a return of students to campus could occur as soon as mid-January.
For four periods each day Monday through Friday, classroom monitors are expected to sit inside the physical classrooms of teachers who choose to teach the class remotely. The monitors will assist with any needs for students inside the classroom.
“A number of teachers qualify for remote working accommodations, so the classroom monitor position is a temporary position that will allow for the teacher to teach remotely,” said human resources director Roxanna Sanders. “It’s not an instruction position, but rather making sure students are staying in class and just making sure the lesson is going smoothly.”
As approved, the classroom monitors are expected to work between 7:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. at a rate of $18 per hour.
Safety monitors are expected to be placed throughout the building to assist with monitoring students in hallways, the cafeteria, classrooms and other areas of the building, and are expected to “encourage safe and appropriate school conduct and behavior.”
“[They’ll] monitor hallways, classrooms and provide additional help with dismissal and, in the morning, when students arrive,” Sanders said. “They’re just making sure everybody is safe. We know a lot of other school districts are approving positions like that.”
Safety monitors will also ensure students are following adequate social distancing guidelines, wearing masks and properly handling other personal protective equipment. They are also expected to report and document violations of school policies.
Board member Jackie Moore asked what impact the safety monitors may have on students, saying the description feels like “policing.”
Administrators said the classroom monitors are merely present to assist students in the classrooms, while safety monitors will be visible to make sure students are staying safe inside the building.
“This is additional support to monitor the hallways and the restrooms,” superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams said.
The safety monitors are expected to be on campus between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will be paid at a rate of $15 per hour.
Sanders said some recently-furloughed food service employees are expected to apply for the positions.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering
