The impact of coronavirus on schools goes beyond just shuttered classrooms.

Jim Thorpe Area School District, like districts nationwide, is adjusting as the virus impacts it in many ways.

At a school board meeting Wednesday night, administrators and board members discussed classroom grades, graduation ceremonies, and a resident’s request for a school property tax refund.

The meeting was held through a video chat. Members of the public submitted questions through email.

Board member TJ Garritano, a parent of four current students, said in its first two weeks the online classes have worked well.

“For putting it together in a limited time, I think it’s working very well,” he said.

Other board members were curious about the expectations put on students in the online classes. Dennis McGinley asked how the district will determine who passes or fails.

Superintendent John Rushefski said he’s following the guidance of Pedro Rivera, Pennsylvania’s secretary of education. He wants to encourage students to get involved with the online classes rather than discourage them. They’re trying to reach out to students who aren’t logging in rather than failing them.

“This is not a situation where we’re trying to catch someone doing something wrong. We’re trying to find good reasons to see students moving forward,” he said.

Graduation planning is underway and while the district hopes for a traditional ceremony, they’re also making alternate plans.

The cafeteria staff continues to make free lunches which are distributed at sites around the district on a daily basis. The program is growing in popularity with more than 800 lunches distributed some days.

“Teachers are also paying attention to students’ emotional health. Each day when they log in, students must choose a color to represent how they’re feeling. If a student chooses red multiple days in a row, a guidance counselor may reach out to ask how they are doing.”

Responding to a resident’s question, high school Principal Tom Lesisko said he’s having discussions with parents, advisers and class officers. They are figuring out how to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance against gathering in groups while still celebrating graduation and other end-of-year traditions, like the all-night party.

“Basically we’re double planning. If something should relax we would have traditional graduation and some of those events. But we’re really planning for something very different,” Lesisko said.

Board member Dennis McGinley asked about holding graduation at a drive-in theater. Lesisko said it’s something they are looking into.

Several residents submitted questions related to the coronavirus’s impact on school. One resident said taxpayers should be refunded their school taxes since schools are not in session.

Board member Scott Pompa said the school board is legally required to pay its employees during COVID-19 under a law legislators recently passed. It is also required to pay the bus contractor even though bus runs aren’t taking place.

Pompa said there are bills in Harrisburg involving property tax relief, or at least to extend the deadline which homeowners have to pay them before they become delinquent.

“There is some legislation in the works for relief. We are following the expectations from the state,” Pompa said.