Excellence in Action: Monterey County’s Educational Response to Covid-19

Educators and classified staff in Monterey County are to be commended for their initiative and flexibility in meeting the challenges of COVID-19. From the MCOE Superintendent to the newest part-time classroom aide, county educational employees went beyond their job descriptions in meeting the needs of students and their families during the pandemic. __X_ AGREE ____ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District agrees with this finding. King City Union School District staff made extraordinary efforts to meet the needs of our students and families during the most difficult and challenging times. The global pandemic brought many unexpected challenges that required school personnel to be flexible and nimble. We are proud of and thankful for their professionalism and willingness to step up and do what needed to be done to continue educating our students even when school facilities were required to remain closed. Most of the District Classified and all management staff reported to work daily and did not work from home. Thus, creating a physical presence for the families of our community.

Administrators, teachers, and information technology staff in Monterey County are to be commended for making great strides in providing remote learning devices and solving internet access problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. __X_ AGREE ____ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District agrees. The District’s administrators, teachers, and information technology staff are to be commended for making great strides in providing remote learning devices and solving internet access problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The District staff utilized innovative solutions to solve the digital divide problems and are continuing to work toward long term solutions. District tech staff worked tirelessly and was available 24 hours a day resolve matters and take pre-emptive actions.

Despite a lack of preparedness at many levels of government, MCOE, school districts, and staff responded to the impact of the pandemic in a timely manner. __X_ AGREE ____ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District agrees with this finding. The global pandemic surfaced gaps in communications and needed resources at all levels of government. The King City Union UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT School District administration and staff worked diligently to respond appropriately and timely to each challenge the pandemic surfaced.

Monterey County successfully expanded internet connectivity due to the efforts of MCOE, industry partners, grant institutions, the Digital Task Force, and school district investment in technology. __X_ AGREE ____ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District agrees with this finding. Being geographically remote in South Monterey County, the District with some assistance from MCOE worked to expand the internet connectivity for students in need.

There is increased collaboration and coordination among agencies that provide services and support, including the MCOE, Monterey County Behavioral Health, the Monterey County Health Department, internet partners, school districts, support providers, and community groups. __ AGREE _X__ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District partially agrees with this finding. The increased collaboration and coordination among agencies tends to be north county focused which allows for more efficient response and better coordination of services and support in that area. South Monterey County continues to be underserved and was largely left to fill it’s needs.

Administrators, teachers, parents, and students are all extremely concerned about students’ social-emotional issues arising from COVID-19. __X_ AGREE ____ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District agrees with this finding. According to the American Psychological Association, 71 percent of parents across the nation are reporting that the pandemic has taken a toll on their child’s mental health. King City Union School District staff has seen more behavioral challenges, as well as social and emotional health concerns this year than in years past. While there is available funding, there are insufficient number of available trained personnel to hire, which is an obstacle to meeting the needs of students and staff. It is even more challenging to acquire competent personnel in South Monterey County. UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

Administrators, teachers, parents, and students are concerned about the learning loss that took place during the 2020-2021 school year. There is an urgent need for mitigation of such a loss. __X_ AGREE ____ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District agrees with this finding, to this end the District has focused upon mitigating the loss with appropriate measures directed at the students most in need.

There is the potential for significant fiscal disruption with the continuing loss of ADA and the end of additional federal funding occurring at the same time. __ _ AGREE __X_ PARTIALLY AGREE ____ DISAGREE Response: The King City Union School District partially agrees with this finding. While California and Monterey County are experiencing declining enrollment and increased absenteeism in many districts due to the pandemic, KCUSD enrollment is remaining static with some decline, the rate of absenteeism though low, is actually improving. Since 2010, the District has always taken the strategic long view for its financial planning, ongoing income is used for ongoing expenses, one-time funding is used for one-time or short term expenditures.