Superintendent Matt Schultz reviewed the district’s plan for the upcoming school year with the Lanesboro School Board at their June 17 meeting. The school was able to adapt the standard business preparedness plan from the state of Minnesota and also used data from a survey that was sent to parents of Lanesboro students. Only one parent surveyed said that they did not want their children returning to school in-person, but it was not for a COVID-related reason. Eighty-nine percent of the parents responded that they were comfortable with their children attending school without a mask and 99% were amenable to returning to normal routines at school. Those who were hesitant were concerned about their children who are under the age of 12 and are not able to receive the COVID vaccine yet.
As of now, the district plans to resume school in-person with normal routines in the fall and no masks required except on school buses. Buses are considered public transportation which still falls under a mask mandate. Superintendent Schultz noted that while masks won’t be required, employees and students can still choose to wear them if they choose. The school staff has nearly a 100% COVID vaccination rate and, while he isn’t aware of the exact number, Schultz does know that many of the eligible students have also been vaccinated. He was also happy to note that in the Lanesboro school district, no COVID cases have been reported in the last two weeks. “Everything seems to be going in the direction we want it to,” he commented, adding that he was comfortable saying that the school would be able to open like normal in the fall.
It had been hoped that the original clocks could be reinstalled after the renovations project, but the man hours to relabel and pull all the wires, determine which clocks still work, and rehang them would be counterproductive. The price for 52 new wireless, synchronized classroom clocks and four double-sided hallway clocks would be approximately $9,000. Superintendent Schultz said that he is looking into the possibility of replacing some of those with unsynchronized clocks for rooms that don’t need the classroom bells, as that would lower the overall cost.
Schultz reported that summer school for the middle and high school grades began the day after school ended and ran for two weeks with an additional day after that for students who need some more time. The elementary students will have a two-week summer school in August.
Lindsay Hanson was hired as the daycare manager, Tess Highum as a preschool teacher, and Ally Kujath as a daycare employee. The retirement of custodian Dave Campbell was approved. “Dave’s done a good job,” Schultz commented.
Two-year contracts for Head Maintenance Custodian Jim Schott and Transportation Director Chad Wangen were approved.
The board reviewed and approved the 2021-2022 budget. Overall, there is not much change from the 2020-2021 budget.
A resolution renewing the district’s membership in the Minnesota State High School League or MSHSL was approved.
A total of $16,000 in donations for prom, the Tex-Mex trip, the lunch/milk fund, and scholarships was approved with gratitude.
The next Lanesboro School Board meeting will be held on July 15 at 7 p.m.
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