Photo by Wanda Hanson
The semester test policy was a focus at the regular Lanesboro School Board February 11 as three speakers at the public input period spoke about them and the board had set aside time to discuss the policy.
Stena Lieb, an art teacher at Lanesboro and a parent of several students spoke first. Lieb declared, “I dislike the semester tests – as a matter of fact, I abhor them!” She shared that her sons were forced to take the tests even when one had struggled with mental health issues and the other had several injuries which had led to absences.
As a teacher, Lieb doesn’t like the policy that the semester test counts for 20% of the grade. In her art classes, there are hands-on projects that are a better reflection of actual learning.
Ollie Lepper once again addressed the board, noting that parents are tired of unnecessary tests. She pointed out that Lanesboro was an outlier among area schools; all absences count toward the 40 hours of acceptable absences.
Jeff Lepper, Ollie’s husband and a teacher at RCTC, prepared a document regarding the use of semester tests which he gave to the board and summarized his thoughts at the meeting. “This feels arbitrary,” Lepper commented, “assessment should never be used as a punishment.”
Lepper countered arguments that claimed the tests prepare students for college by saying that in college the students know ahead of time whether they will be taking a final. He felt that if the teachers believe a different type of assessment is better, they should be able to use them.
Justin Svoboda also addressed the board during public input to share his frustration with what he called unprofessional communication from the Day Care Center. He and his wife thought they had a space reserved for their newborn only to learn there was no room for their child. Superintendent Matt Schultz followed up with Svoboda.
Later in the meeting the board discussed semester tests. Sarah Peterson told the board she had asked several teachers what they thought about the test policy. Some teachers shared that the semester test days gave them the opportunity to have better conversations with some students since there were fewer students present and that the days provided families more flexibility on those days.
Peterson pointed out that students’ absences make more work for the teachers. She noted that the policy did make students pay attention to the hours they’re absent. One teacher had shared that a student who had been absent a lot took the semester test, passed it and as a result passed the class.
Peterson wondered if the test weight of 20% was perhaps too much.
Steve Snyder said the issue had been around for 20 years. The policy was begun to bring up attendance. “You learn more when you’re at school,” Snyder declared. Snyder commented that he hadn’t heard much for solutions from people when they addressed the board and asked, “What can we do to keep attendance up?”
Mark Holmen, who has been on the policy committee for several years, commented, “I don’t think the semester tests were ever intended to hurt anyone’s grade.”
Kevin Horihan asked how many students end up taking the tests. Out of 197 students, 25 to 30 took the tests. He also asked for clarification that the tests were cumulative of what was presented during the semester with no new content.
Lucas Bergo suggested that trying to have students become responsible for each other might help. He recommended a trial year without the policy. “Let the kids take the reins,” he suggested, feeling that the kids’ peer pressure might help keep others in school.
Steve Storhoff, a former teacher, commented, “It’s a nightmare when kids are gone! A small percentage make it tough for everybody.”
Sarah Peterson hesitantly asked, “Are we doing a disservice by not having all our kids take the tests?”
No decisions were made on the policy; the policy committee had delayed its meeting until after the board discussion.
iLead
High School Principal Brett Clarke addressed the board regarding a new program, iLead. The values-based leadership curriculum is being used in the 7th-12th grade homerooms.
“We do have great kids, but when we do have problems it often comes down to values,” Clarke shared. Reaction to the curriculum has been very positive from both students and teachers,
Business Conducted
The board approved the 2026-2027 academic calendar. School will begin September 1; the last day for students will be May 28. There will be school the Wednesday before MEA; April 30 was changed from a student contact day to a teacher workshop day tyo provide a break toward the end of the year.
The teacher seniority list was approved with no discussion. The pay equity compliance report was also approved.
The November board meeting was set for November 18 since the regular date landed on Veterans’ Day.
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