The Spring Grove Public Schools Board met in person on Monday, August 18, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the media center while adhering to the Governor’s guidelines for capacity (10 people total). The public and media attended remotely through Google Meet.
Board members in attendance included President Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Christian Myrah, Kelly Rohland, Jenny Stender. Rhan Flatin was absent.
The consent agenda was approved, including establishing the price of adult hot breakfast ($1.90) and lunch ($3.85) for 2020-21 and the Sports Cooperative Agreement with Caledonia.
Principal’s Report
Over the past month, Principal Kjelland focused on finalizing the 2020-21 School Handbook and discussing with teachers how best to address racial and equity issues. Kjelland expressed that the school “wants to promote a positive worldview.” Kjelland shared with the board a list of COVID-19 terms to ensure that teachers and staff use consistent terms when discussing COVID-19.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Student success was the topic of discussion during the four professional development sessions held by Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz as well as individual meetings she held with most of the teachers. Meinert informed the board that she also worked with the teachers who will be utilizing outdoor classrooms. Sample lesson plans were obtained from an outdoor classroom teacher in Norway.
Superintendent’s Report
The superintendent shared with the board that the state’s school plan for the 2020-21 school year “allows for local governance,” allowing schools to make decisions based on what is going on in their community regarding COVID-19.
Based on the county’s current COVID-19 case count of 15, the Superintendent recommends going with the hybrid model. K-6 students will be in the building five days a week, and 7-12 graders will be in the building on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday will allow the school and 7-12 grade students the opportunity to practice with distance learning so students will be better prepared if the school goes full-time to distance learning. On Wednesdays the school will have the option of inviting 7-12 students in for additional help if needed.
Sixteen elementary students and 21 secondary students, 11% of the student population, will attend school virtually. Twenty-three students have not decided what their school plans are for the 2020-21 school year as they are waiting for more information.
Parents can expect to receive the name of their children’s teacher and a school supply list by the end of this week.
The Superintendent assured the board and guests that teachers’ will still get two 30 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes for lunch each day.
Guests will not be allowed in the building as of September 1. The board will review their decision at next month’s meeting.
Last year’s seniors were able to go off campus twice a week for lunch. Seniors are not allowed to drive but can walk uptown to eat. Students can lose this privilege. Udstuen recommended expanding it to include juniors this year so they can stretch their legs and get out of the building. The board unanimously agreed with the recommendation.
The board tabled the designation of the Fillmore County Journal or the Caledonia Argus as the official school newspaper until the September meeting, allowing the superintendent time to gather additional information as requested by the board.
The board approved a contract to hire Laura Eglinton as a part-time special education teacher. The board also approved increasing Taylor Elton’s secondary science position from .833 FTE (33 hours) to 1.0 FTE (40 hours).
Superintendent Udstuen recommended that the board approve the Spring Grove Reopening Plan as presented during the superintendent’s report. Approved.
The board approved the MSBA Resolution Adoption of Learning Scenario for the 2020-2021 School Year and Other COVID-19 related matters. The school will follow the hybrid model where K-6 students will attend classes in the building Monday through Friday, and grades 7-12 will be in the building on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and Wednesday distance learning.
The majority of changes made to the 2020-21 School Handbook were grammatical and formatting to make it easier to read. On page 14, Kjelland explained a major change made in the section on cheating and plagiarism. Instead of receiving a zero on an assignment or test for cheating or plagiarizing, students will now be required to “complete an alternative assignment/test for a predetermined score value as decided by the teacher.” The board unanimously approved the 2020-21 School Handbook.
The board approved the $2,500 quote from Bearbower Tree Trimming to remove three trees and a quote for $4,900 from Winona Control to install three more water bottle fillers in the school.
The board approved the first reading of Policy 522 Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy. The board will receive the updated policy, which will include the changes to the grievance procedures and processes that were made at the federal level.
The next regular meeting of the Spring Grove Public School Board of Directors is scheduled on September 21, 2020, and will begin at 7 p.m. The school board, administration, and business manager will meet in person (10 max). The school will continue to offer the board meetings on Google Meet for anyone else who would like to attend. For assistance monitoring the meeting, contact the district office at (507) 498-3221 or email rachel.udstuen@springgrove.k12.mn.us.