The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge welcomes the community to its third Lunch with the League at Noon, Tuesday, October 20. Continuing efforts to keep everyone safe during this time of pandemic, the gathering will again be virtual. Those desiring to gain access to the meeting may do so by following instructions provided at the close of this article.

Tuesday’s meeting will host Dr. Bruce T. Borchers, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools, speaking on “The State of the Oak Ridge Schools during a Time of Pandemic.”

Earlier than is usually the case for Dr. Borchers’ annual League presentation, this year’s presentation will give him an opportunity to share continuing preparations, accomplishments, and concerns for the current school year in light of the challenges of the pandemic. Of particular interest, he will speak to the schools’ planning, preparation, and guidelines designed to provide in-person education while maintaining a high level of safety for students, teachers, and staff. He will also speak to those causes which could lead to the potential closure of the schools due to circumstances brought on by the COVID pandemic.

Coming to Oak Ridge in 2013, Borchers holds a bachelor’s degree from Morningside College in Sioux, Iowa; a M.A. degree in educational administration from the University of South Dakota; a M.S. degree in secondary guidance counseling from Wayne State College; and a doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota.

Beginning his career teaching in elementary school and serving as a guidance counselor and interim assistant principal in Iowa, Dr. Borchers later served as principal of Mankato (Minnesota) West High School. From 2008 to 2010 he was associate superintendent of the Anoka-Hennepin secondary schools in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Immediately prior to coming to Oak Ridge, he was superintendent of the Rockwood (Minnesota) School District. He was selected Alumni Educator of the Year for Morningside College in 2011, and is a member of several professional associations. Borchers and his wife, Shannon, have two children: Bailey and Jack.

During this time when we are all concerned about how we can best provide a high quality education for our children while also keeping them safe, Dr. Borchers’ report on how our schools are navigating these challenging times is more than timely. Lunch with the League welcomes League members and nonmembers alike to this informative presentation.

For instruction on linking to the online presentation, contact maryannreeves1 [at] att.net.  Anyone not familiar with Zoom meetings should go to https://support.zoom.us and then scroll down to frequently asked questions. A couple of days following the presentation, you may view the recorded presentation on the League’s website (https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge).

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

To view the Zoom webinar of this program, click here.