Photo by Wanda Hanson
Much of the Lanesboro School Board meeting on March 11 was spent discussing two items – semester tests linked to attendance and virtual options for school board meetings. The first discussion came after Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the policy committee meeting held the week before.
Schultz informed the board that the committee had spent an hour and a half on discussion of attendance linked semester tests. Schultz had given a summary of the history of the testing for the last 10 years. He reported that the teacher group is very much in favor of continuing the semester tests. He did note that one teacher at the high school was opposed to the testing.
The committee had also looked at a model attendance policy from MSBA which addressed makeup work as well as excused and unexcused absences. The committee discussed how focusing on attendance helps with future work habits. They also discussed different scenarios that make the policy hard as well as recent parent input. The committee felt that having the semester test weighted at 20% of the grade was possibly too much and discussed the possibility of reducing the percentage.
While the idea of removing the semester test policy for a year was discussed, the committee felt it would be difficult to reinstate it. Lucas Bergo commented on a teacher who allows an open book test which had helped to improve several students’ grades.
Sarah Peterson asked if any consideration had been given to medical and mental health appointments. Schultz shared that the school currently makes exceptions for such appointments if they are aware of them.
In the past, only two absences were accepted each semester; over the years it was changed to five. The most recent change had been changing the grade requirement from a B to a C.
The committee had recommended keeping the policy, but haivng the semester test only able to improve the students’ grades. Semester tests are totally at the discretion of the teacher. Assessments can be done that make sense in classes with projects to show student learning.
Schultz told the board that teachers look at the tests as an opportunity to help the students. Steve Storhoff noted that the public perception is that they are punitive.
Snyder felt the teacher should decide what weight the test has on the grades. He suggested that students could possibly come in ahead of time if they know they will be absent. He stressed the goal of the policy was to keep the students in school.
Schultz will take the board’s input back to the committee. Peterson suggested they also put out information regarding the topic for the public so they could know about the discussions so far.
Virtual Board Meetings
Tamara DeGarmo and Alicia Pearson spoke during the public input period to ask for a virtual option for the public to attend board meetings. Tamara reiterated her reasons for the request, mentioning that people who are ill, who have children who have busy schedules, who have work conflicts or can’t get babysitters are unable to attend in person. She commented, “We want to encourage more involvement. Being able to watch meetings could engage people.”
Lanesboro Mayor Alicia Pearson said she too was in support of a virtual option. She declared, “If there’s a lack of information, people might perceive it negatively. Virtual is the way to go!” The city council meetings have a virtual option.
The board discussed the possibility later in the meeting. Sarah Peterson asked if it would be possible to have an audio only option and only while the meeting was going on with no recording. Peterson suggested a trial period to see if people would actually use it; she also wondered about security issues.
Steve Snyder shared that in his work experience, people had to be invited to attend meetings so you can tell who is there. He wondered who would own the audio or video if they did this. Snyder was concerned that some people would choose not to run for the board if meetings were online.
Lucas Bergo repeated some of the reasons people can’t attend in person and commented that he felt sharing the meetings virtually could foster trust. Bergo asked if they could just try it and track how many people used it.
Peterson asked what other school boards present a virtual option and wondered if a transcript could be offered.
Mark Holmen wondered about checking with legal about open meeting laws.
Other Business
In other business the board:
- Approved the reduction of one elementary position due to enrollment; this does not mean the elimination of a teacher since there is an opening for ES Intervention with the resignation of Tara Honsey;
- Accepted the resignation of Sharon Boyum;
- Approved co-op girls golf agreement with Mabel-Canton;
- Discussed the need for a teacher qualified for full time in the daycare in order to accommodate the wait list;
- Approved a contract for a certified library media specialist with Robert Routh; Routh will conduct site visits and meet with staff virtually for a $500 fee to satisfy state requirements.
Leave a Reply