The Crookston School Board voted 4-2 to stay Model 2 learning at their meeting on Monday night while listening to the advisement of Polk County Public Health.
STAYING MODEL 2 LEARNING –
With an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Polk County and the high school reporting a positive case on Sunday and Highland School reporting two positive cases on Monday, there was some concern from school district staff on staying level two, according to School Board member Dave Davidson.
The main concern came from Polk County’s cases per 10,000 rate on Thursday, coming in at 33. Superintendent Jeremy Olson explained that the first number they look at is the case per 10,000 rate, but the next number and more important number is local demographics and numbers. Polk County Public Health suggested all schools in the county stay in level 2 for now.
After a lengthy discussion, board member Dave Davidson made a motion to move to Level 3 learning (the only changes would be 5th and 6th grade also move to hybrid learning and they would have limited capacity in the elementary). Patty Dillabough seconded the motion. Board member Tim Dufault asked if he had missed something and asked Davidson why they would go against Polk County Public Health recommendation. Board member Mike Theis said he couldn’t see why they would go to level 3. Board chair Frank Fee said Crookston would be the only district in the county going to Level 3.
A vote to move from Level 2 to Level 3 took place, and Davidson and Dillabough voted yes. Frank Fee, Mike Theis, Tim Dufault, and Adrianne Winger voted no, so the district will stay Level 2 after the vote failed. “It comes down to being in the safest model we can be, but at the same time providing a strong educational background,” said Superintendent Jeremy Olson. “As we look at models, the board thought level 2 was the best level to be in knowing we have some different mitigation strategies we can use if things don’t go well.”
MOVING 2W DAYS FROM HALF DAYS TO FULL WORKSHOP DAYS
The board voted unanimously to approve moving 2W days from half days of school to a full day of teacher workshop/planning days.
Superintendent Olson said they need to give teachers time for professional development, but more importantly, time for planning. The teachers would have up to two hours of staff development time and the rest of the day for planning.
The district would still provide transportation for the private schools on the 2W days, and the paraprofessionals and other staff would be working on 2W days, so they won’t lose any pay. “We feel it is very much needed for the staff,” said Superintendent Olson. “Our staff are working very hard. They are juggling a lot of things right now and they are tired and we need to give them time to plan and prepare.”
ADDING A BOARD MEMBER TO THE INCIDENT COMMAND TEAM
Board member Dave Davidson made a motion at the beginning of the meeting to add an item to the main agenda. It was the addition of a board member to the School District Incident Command team. The incident command team is the group of people that discuss and look at what level the district use during the pandemic. The group is made up of the administration team, school nurse, Polk County Public Health’s Sarah Reese, and two members from the teachers union. Davidson thought somebody from the board should be on the team to be a part of the discussion and ask questions. “We look at the numbers and ask Sarah Reese what we should do,” said Olson. “Now we will be adding a school board member to the team.”
The board voted unanimously to appoint a board member to the committee.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS –
Superintendent Olson thanked the board for approving the $135 daily payment to substitute teachers and significantly helped them. Crookston High School Principal Eric Bubna said teachers at the high school have been helping sub during their prep hour and said they have stepped up in a big way to help out this year.
Kevin Weber, the district technology director, said all the teachers received new computers this year, and they still have their old computers. Originally, the teachers were to hand in their old computers by the end of December, but now they will let them keep them until the school year is over because they utilize both computers with hybrid learning.
Weber added they had added a lot of technology, and having a technology support specialist will be a great help.
For kids who don’t have internet access, the district has worked to find a way to get internet. If they are in town, they have worked with Midco. If they live out of town, they are trying hot spots. For those in the country that are in a “dead zone,” they are working with the library to get the kids a place to go to use the internet.
CONSENT AGENDA –
The consent agenda included the approval of the September 28 meeting minutes, current bills, and accepting a donation from Ken Johnson for $1,000 for the Nature Center at Highland Elementary School (HES) and the Itasca trip. The board also accepted the resignation letter of Bill Gillette, instructional assistant, at HES and the employment of Linda Yeager as an instructional assistant at HES.
The board approved the employment with Madison Olson as a school readiness/VPK assistant at Washington Elementary School (WES), and Joel Pyles as a technology support specialist for the district.
ENDING MESSAGE WAS LOUD AND CLEAR –
At the end of each meeting, the school board members have a chance to give their final thoughts, and Tim Dufault said people have to do their part to help, and he said he might sound like his mom, but “Put your damn mask on.”
Dave Davidson followed suit and said, “Wear your masks people, it is a matter of life and death.”
Frank Fee said, “Wear your mask, wash your hands, and social distance.”
Superintendent Olson said that for the district to stay at Level 2 learning, they need help from the community to stay vigilant, wear a mask, wash hands, and social distance. “We want to make sure this becomes a community push,” said Olson. “We are pleading with the community to help us out to stop the spread.”
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