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Twenty-one members and Honorary Member Elaine Olson assembled via Zoom for our meeting, with Wally Cole offering the invocation. During the brag and fine segment, Tim Hunt reported he was successfully rehabilitating after open heart surgery and feeling good. Hal Leland paid for missing the prior two weeks and commented on how nice it was to see Tim recovering. Kathy Austvold followed up on the e-mail sent out assigning program responsibilities to members, noting the February programs had shifted a little and encouraging those assigned to handle March programs to not wait to make arrangements until the last minute. Dean Monke was our program and he gave a comprehensive report on what is happening in our school district, initially noting that our meeting was the start of his 16th hour on Zoom in this week alone. Dean told us students in kindergarten through sixth grade have been face-to-face the whole year except for those students who chose 100% distant learning; the latter is about 15 to 25 students per grade level. At this level about 20 classrooms have had to go into quarantine and do distant learning for one to two weeks, with one classroom out three times and some not out at all. February 1st marks the start of the new semester for non-elementary students (moved back one week). Seventh and eighth graders started the school year using a hybrid approach, attending classes in person two days a week. High school students also began the year using a hybrid approach but on November 30th all were transitioned to distant learning, in part because of staffing shortages. As of January 20, 2021, they brought the high school students back in for three days a week. About 120-125 high school students are doing 100% distant learning for the whole year. Dean described the performance of the high school teachers as "rock stars." On February 1, seventh and eighth graders attending classes will be back in the school four days a week; they have been very upfront with parents and students in telling them that they cannot guarantee six foot distancing in all classrooms. Both students and staff have been phenomenal in wearing masks. Not every student is geared to be a distant learner and Dean said it is a whole lot easier for a student to get lost academically in this environment. To try to keep on top of this they have been running Saturday School and also providing tutoring with the assistance of some community members. Some local employers have also taken in students and mentored them. It was also referenced that 12 students took and passed the Certified Nursing Assistant course this past fall, which is a big help to local facilities. The one act play just finished first in the sub-section last week. Athletic events are capped at 150 people in attendance (less for swimming). Dean commented on the challenge for hockey and basketball athletes to wear masks during practices and games, but the fact several fall teams ended up in quarantine because of exposure definitely served as a wake-up call. Fiscally the District has a healthy fund balance but has to keep a watchful eye on its budget, Dean noting that for every student that leaves there is about a $10,000 hit. Nonetheless District 544 is in a much better financial position than a lot of districts in Minnesota. Dean also reported that they are just about ready to open up Lincoln School (the old Target building) and that the early childhood courses will be functioning in "amazing" space that we should all see. Going forward, Dean foresees a blended approach on both in-person and virtual teaching. He also recognized the three school nurses, Jennifer Kohorst, Lori Jensen and Mandy Ellison, and the food services director, Lance Wells, for their tremendous contributions during this difficult time. |
