The Lanesboro School Board met on June 18 via teleconference and discussed the guidelines for the upcoming school year. The state department has asked districts to make plans for three different models, which include in-person learning, distance learning, or hybrid learning, in which students would spend part of their time at the school and the other part distance learning from home. The final decision will be announced at the end of July by the state, but schools need to be prepared to be flexible and transition between the different models based on potential outbreaks. “The biggest hurdle that I see is transportation,” Superintendent Matt Schultz said, adding that he has been having continued discussions with Transportation Director Chad Wangen about the matter. A survey will be sent out to district parents in July to gauge their general comfort level in having their children attend school and gather feedback on the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Schultz noted that the facilities project is on track. The demolition in the 1959 classroom areas and kitchen is almost complete and slabwork is being done for the new daycare area at the school. Over 80 loads of dirt have been trucked in so far. Bids for the PA and keyless entry systems will be ready to be voted on soon. Schultz is also working to obtain quotes for the stage lighting and commons area sound system.
Resignations were accepted from daycare worker Sam Hareldson and high school Special Education teacher and English Language Arts teacher Laura Horihan. Martha Norstad’s retirement from the daycare was also approved. Sara Twait was hired for a one-year position as a kindergarten teacher.
The 2020-21 budget was approved as well as the regular school board meeting schedule for July 2020-June 2021. The monthly donations were accepted with gratitude and consisted of scholarship donations. A foster child transportation agreement with Fillmore County was approved, which would allow the school to continue to provide transportation to Lanesboro if a child in the district were to be placed in foster care in a different school district.
The board approved Superintendent Schultz’s review and annual goal setting. “We appreciate Matt’s efforts on handling the situation,” board member Dave Lawstuen said about finishing the 2019-20 school year with distance learning.
Superintendent Schultz asked the board to consider options for meeting in person for the next meeting. He suggested meeting outdoors with social distancing. The next school board meeting will be held on July 16 at 7 p.m..