During the regularly scheduled school board meeting on February 23, 2021, school board members discussed the practice of indoor singing within the context of the current Re-Opening Policy for School Year 2020-2021, which is currently prohibited. Discussion concluded with consensus of the school board directing the Superintendent to work with staff and the Re-Opening Task Force to develop new guidelines to accommodate students singing indoors as part of curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs/events. 

Subsequent board direction on February 23, 2021 Minnie Orr, Content Specialist for K-12 Music, conferred with the Music Leadership Teams for elementary, middle, and high schools to review prevailing research and help craft appropriate guidelines. She provided those guidelines for the Reopening Committee to discuss, review, revise, and present for consideration.

Following detailed review and analysis by the committee, they do not suggest or recommend the lifting of the prohibition, but they have provided draft policy recommendations at the direction of the Board. It should be further noted that the Brevard County Department of Health, who serves as a part of the team, requested that it specifically be documented that they do not recommend the lifting of the prohibition. The recommendations identified are guidelines believed to mitigate some risk but they do not fully comply with the guidelines by the prevailing research. Teachers have the ultimate authority in whether they prefer to have students sing outdoors, indoors, or some combination of the two. Students may not be penalized in a course if they do not feel comfortable singing indoors or being in an environment where there is singing indoors. They should be provided a reasonable accommodation.

It should also be noted that the Music Leadership Teams recommend air filtration systems. However, our Environmental team provided the following information - Portable air filtration systems can increase air circulation, but they are not a “one size fits all” device that substantially reduces risk. They also require periodic maintenance such as filter changes, which will need to be monitored and implemented at the school-level. Guidelines for these devices have been previously published as some are not appropriate for classroom use.

Additional expenditures of 3-ply, surgical style, masks for secondary students will be incurred. Expenditures may qualify for reimbursement through ESSER funds. 

If school board approved, the “Guidelines for Singing Indoors” will take effect March 24, 2021.

Guidelines for Indoor Singing (pending School Board Approval), specifically Guidelines for Teachers and Administrators is attached.

The 2020-2021 Re-Opening Plan was Board approved on July 14, 2020 and amended on August 11, 2020.

Requires board action for approval.