ROCHELLE – The monthly Rochelle Township High School board meeting was once again held virtually for many board members except the District Superintendent Jason Harper and RTHS Principal Chris Lewis who attended in person.
During the principal’s report, Lewis updated the board on summer school classes and summer camps, as well as how RTHS is planning to return in the fall. There are currently no in-person summer camps being held and all coaches are working with kids virtually.
“This is typically the time of year where the weight room is full and there are guys and girls outside running the track and practicing agility, but that is not the case this year,” Lewis said.

All summer classes are also being held online with a total of 199 students as compared to 265 last year. Lewis then updated board members on the possible return to school in the fall. The state will be providing guidance to schools in the third week of June on what the year will look like and RTHS is currently planning for how to move forward.
“We are currently planning on a variety of models that could potentially take place for the 2020-2021 school year,” Lewis said. “This could include flexible/split schedules and using social distancing requirements.”
Next, board members approved the district’s new 1:1 technology plan. The plan will assign each student his or her own Google Chromebook. Students will use the device all four years, pay a fee each year and keep the device when they graduate.
“We need to move in this direction so that we can be prepared for a system that relies more heavily on remote learning,” Harper said.
Board members also passed a motion to upgrade and add to its existing wireless Internet infrastructure. The current system in place would not have the capacity to allow for students to utilize their devices if and when they return to in-person education. Board members also passed a motion to budget $3,500 for a Sinnissippi Center contract that will provide drug and alcohol assessment and counseling for its students.