At the November 12, 2020, board meeting, board members present were: Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Matt McMahon, and Rick Lowery, and Katie Priebe, as well as Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant; and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Josh Thompson was sworn in to fill the vacancy of a board member who had resigned.
Board member McMahon stated that the contract negotiations with Superintendent Harris had gone well. He also said the district COVID planning team that is made up of administrators, board members, teachers, and parents meets once a week and brings perspectives from all parties. With things changing daily it is nice to have everyone’s input.
Student Senate representatives, Stephanie Bradt and Erica Vandewalker talked about how the Homecoming was very different this year but they found ways to celebrate. During Halloween they sponsored a very successful pumpkin decorating contest.
At the elementary, McBroom said the transition to the hybrid schedule was difficult for all but everyone involved was positive and trying to adjust to the “new norm.” Instead of a Veterans Day assembly students worked on activities in their rooms and the traditional Lions Club dictionary and ruler were delivered to the rooms. Since MCA tests were cancelled last spring the PLC (Personal Learning Community) leadership is working on how to develop goals for this school year and evaluating standards. As next week is American Education Week, he thanked all of the staff members for the great job they do for kids. They continue to stay positive for the kids even in these adverse times.
Principal Paulson talked about the first virtual National FFA Convention where Chatfield’s chapter received a 3 Star National Chapter rating; the highest a chapter can receive. Four of our students received the American Degree; the highest degree level that an FFA member can achieve. They were: Kaci Goldsmith, Carissa Campbell, Shelby Isensee and Alanna Goetzinger. On Wednesday November 11, an in-service was held to give teachers a chance to step back and look at the hybrid learning model. Nikki DeBuhr, high school social studies teacher, said it was a good day to visit and share with each other what is working and what isn’t. Teachers were able to share resources they had found online and offer suggestions to each other. They also discussed how they could help students who are struggling either academically or mentally. This led to a decision to use the next four Wednesdays before the holiday break to spend time with students individually or in groups to get some additional assistance. There would be no new instruction or assignments on that day to allow this to happen.
Superintendent Harris welcomed Josh Thompson to the board, and Jill Harstad and Tom Keefe as new members starting in January. He thanked Amy Jeffers and Rick Lowrey for their service as their last meeting will be in December. He thanked the Youth Football Association for the Hudl upgrade at the high school and the FOCUS program at the elementary. Hudl provides video review and performance analysis tools for sports teams. Harris and business manager, Trista O’Connor, went over a PowerPoint that gave a summary of the CARES Act funding sources and expenditures for COVID. The ash trees that needed to be removed because of disease were taken down by Norby Tree Service of Mabel and next spring the district will need to decide how they should be replaced.
Under the consent agenda, the board approved the resignation of Dominic Pape, elementary para, and school nurse, Pauline Schriever. Posting for two elementary paras was approved and Tracy Hom and Bea Martin were hired for those positions. They approved the job posting of coordinator of technology and hired Nate Evans for that position. Other new hires were Dawn Lubahn, elementary substitute teacher and Kathy Thiss, school nurse.
Under action items, Rick Lowery read the Resolution Canvassing Return of Votes of General Election-School Board and the Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Certificate of Election. The board approved the resolutions and approved the superintendent’s contract for three years. Harris introduced the Learning Plan Metric which will be used as a point of reference in decision making for COVID related educational and activities changes. The Learning Plan Metric is:
If Chatfield realizes or projects a case positivity rate greater than 2% of the student/staff population (1030) for 7 consecutive days or more, an emergency meeting of the school board will be called where an evaluation of the situation will occur that could result in a learning plan change at the classroom, grade, building, or district level. Activities would be included in this consideration.
If staffing concerns due to positive cases or quarantining are such that the administration determines that a classroom, grade level, or building cannot function, distance learning will be implemented to the degree necessary and an emergency school meeting may be called depending upon the extent of the situation.
After discussion and clarifying that activities like speech or Knowledge Bowl that could be done virtually will be allowed, the board approved the plan.
The meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be on December 9 at 7 p.m. at the high school in the Forum Room.
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