The Lanesboro School Board heard concerns about the current semester test policy from the public at their November 12 regular board meeting. Jeff Lepper, who has three children in Lanesboro Schools and is an educator himself, said he supports semester tests, but feels that they should not be used as a punishment for missing school.
Lepper declared that nothing new was being learned from such an assessment. He felt that students shouldn’t be coming to school ill just to avoid having to take a test if they were absent too many times. Lepper felt that the teachers should decide if they wanted to give a semester test to all their students or not. Then the teacher would have a full class sample and the test could have some value.
Senior Ayla Madland presented a petition bearing the signatures of 123 students, teachers and parents who requested the school get rid of the current policy of requiring students to take a semester test if they had too many absences. Madland felt absences due to illness, surgery or medical emergencies, therapy appointments for mental health or funerals should not be counted against a student. She also felt that students shouldn’t be given a pat on the back and a day off from school for merely being present at school.
Tamara DeGarmo once again asked the board to consider recording and streaming board meetings as some other area schools do. She explained that she was not able to attend the last two meetings due to travel for her job, but would have been able to watch a livestream and keep up with what was happening at the meetings. She stressed that livestreaming would help with parent and community communication and involvement.
While the board does not engage in discussion during the public comment period, Chairman Steve Snyder asked later in the meeting which committee would be responsible to discuss the semester test policy. Superintendent Matt Schulz answered that it would be the policy committee and noted that the semester test policy is discussed every year. Schultz will bring information for the board to the January meeting for further discussion.
Snyder also asked about current substitute teacher availability. Schultz replied that Lanesboro has contracted with two subs for the year, but still needs additional subs sometimes. Snyder suggested that perhaps in January the board could discuss how to encourage the community to sub or just come in to talk to classes occasionally. He shared that he has done that and enjoyed it greatly.
Superintendent’s Report
Supt. Matt Schultz reported details of the fourth annual small schools conference held in October. Eighty-five people attended the conference; this year the daycare staff also attended for the morning session.
Educational Consultant Dr. Jenny Severson was the keynote speaker; she focused on movement in the classroom. Breakout sessions included sessions on artificial intelligence, hands-on learning, deescalation and equitable practices for SPED students. A well-appreciated session with grade levels and subject areas meeting to share their ideas wrapped up the day.
Schultz thanked the school’s architecture firm, HSR Associates, Inc., for their support of the conference the past four years. Schultz informed the board that the school will continue to talk about how to get teachers together to collaborate in coming years. One of his goals is to give “singletons,” teachers who are the only teachers of their subject at the school, a chance to work and collaborate with other teachers who teach the same subjects.
Other Business
In other business, the board:
- Accepted the resignation of Natasha Winslow from the daycare;
- Granted FMLA leaves of absence to Anna Courbat and Tess Heim for this coming spring;
- Heard that there will be a school-wide food drive to fill the school’s food pantry;
- Learned that the city of Lanesboro was searching for a student or two who would be willing to serve on and be involved in a committee at the city;
- Continued to go over policies with first and second readings of several policies at the meeting;
- Were reminded that the December 10 board meeting will include the budget audit report; the Truth in Taxation Meeting will also be held that night.
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