The Rushford-Peterson School District is trying a new approach this winter to counter the unpredictability of weather. Rather than make up snow days later in the year, the district plan utilizes Blended Learning Days, attempting to continue students’ learning opportunities. Essentially, each cancelled day will include a combination of online, traditional paper/pencil activities, and/or other class related activities for all K-12 students.
District policies futher state, “Winter and spring months of the year bring school closings and make-up days that over the years have proven very disruptive to the school calendar and to the instructional programs of our students. Unscheduled closings compromise the quality of the learning process that R-P carefully and deliberately plans and prepares for its students.”
Five pages of policy, provided by the district, highlight general procedures for Online Snow Days and procedures specific to elementary, middle, and high school students. These include logging in to the R-P School website to check assignments on course or teacher pages and completing assignments by a specific time period, as specified by the teacher, who will be available via email for questions from 9 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.
At the Monday, January 23 school board meeting, parent Leah Mensink-Jacobson brought forth her concerns regarding the initiative. Mensink-Jacobson had also voiced similar concern last September. “Now that we have had our first experience with Blended Learning Days, I want to share again my concerns, frustrations, and comments,” she began. “Blended Learning Days have been presented by the district as an alternative to making up snow days. The days are meant to ‘encourage learning at home.’ Keep in mind, the district cannot receive funding for these days. The state does not recognize digital learning days as instructional days for schools that normally provide instruction on-site. The school is not required to have these Blended Learning Days and has no financial incentive for doing so.”
She expressed that the family, who has one high school student and one middle school student, has no internet access at their rural home and cannot easily access the public library, particularly in poor weather. Emails from both High School Principal Jake Timm and Middle School Principal Angela Shepherd this past December stated district teachers would be accommodating and flexible in such instances.
“Last week, my children could only work on class work brought home. They did not anticipate, and were not told to anticipate snow days.” According to Mensink-Jacobson, considerable time and hassle was spent accessing information from fourteen teachers for two days of assignments and instructions. “There was no consistency in how each teacher posted their Blended Learning Days assignments,” she continued. “Some of the middle school teachers sent emails about assignments; none of the high school teachers sent emails. Some had assignments under special tabs; others on their regular assignments tab. Only some assignments listed due dates; some were due the next day while others gave flexibility in when work was due. Most required internet access to complete the work and did not offer an alternate format.”
Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
In board discussion, Board Member Julie Koop questioned whether the district had received feedback from teachers over the Blended Learning Days. Superintendent Chuck Ehler indicated that there were mixed reviews and felt that some tweaking needed to be done.
“We’re looking at some things. We’ve received positive feedback, too, which we need to weigh out. This happens anytime you try to roll something new out. We need to make sure we’re flexible for all students,” stressed Ehler.
“It really bothers me that there isn’t any teaching taking place,” added Board Member Jon Pettit. “They’re doing assignments with anything going on. I’m not sure if that meets our goals. It seems a tremendous challenge and that’s a concern.”
New Board Member Bonnie Prinsen acknowledged Pettit’s further concern over the challenge of teaching several students via computer. “I’ve been doing Blended Teaching Days for ten years. Anything new is rocky. It is possible to teach online. We need to find some consistency.” Prinsen offered her services to the district with her background of Blended Learning Days through the University of Minnesota Rochester (RCTC).
“It’s good to have insight to get some kinks out of the system,” added Board Chairman John Linder. The district will continue the Blended Learning Days while working to address issues.
In other news, the district is putting together guidelines for the short-term lease of the middle school facility in Peterson, which will be vacated by the district July 31. An inquiry into a lease by an unnamed person was the catalyst for the action. “I felt it was prudent to put guidelines together and give consideration to items of concern,” noted Superintendent Ehler. Prior to any negotiation, the district would compile a board-approved lease document, also approved by legal counsel.
According to Ehler, the building offers classroom space, with an additional room and a library area, and an office area with two offices, a reception area, two small additional rooms and a staff workroom. These rooms could be quartered off to provide additional lease for the kitchen, cafeteria, and gymnasium. The shop and outdoor buildings would not be leased.
Ehler estimated the lease cost at $18,800 per year or around $1,500 per month. The cost was determined by breaking down current district costs, while providing some advantage to the district. He further added that custodial work could be potentially arranged at an additional cost. Utilities, an average monthly cost of $2,050, would be the sole responsibility of the leasee, while maintenance of the building and grounds, other than mowing, would be the district’s responsibility.
Board Member Dean Mierau suggested once guidelines are in place, the district advertise the option to the public, extending the offer by taking bids and selecting the highest bidder. Ehler agreed the option was good.
Without further concerns or suggestions from the board, the district will compile a document to submit to legal counsel. The item will be brought back for board approval at the February meeting.
The next regularly scheduled school board meeting is Monday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m., in the high school biology room. Please note the date is a week later than normal due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. The public is encouraged to attend.