NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The NRHEG Board of Education Monday listened to elementary and secondary teachers and passed a revised Hybrid Learning Model for both schools in a nearly split decision.
The revised model has students continuing to attend every other day, but Wednesdays will be set aside for Distance Learning only.
Next Wednesday, September 30 will be the first Distance Learning Day for all students, and classroom teachers will be communicating with students and families the expectations and activities for that day.
Elementary teachers were telepresent at the meeting to share their comments and concerns. Key concerns are that elementary classroom teachers aren’t connecting with their Distance Learning students because of lack of time, and that “A and B” students don’t get to see the Distance Learners.
“There just aren’t enough hours in the day,” one said.
Other expressed difficulties: having to cram so much into the day (small groups, special needs), two days off and one day on is hectic and stressful.
“It seems to me we’re pulling a 180 here,” said board chair Rick Schultz. “How does changing from every other day to different schedules going to affect bus drivers, food delivery?”
Karen Flatness asked “Are they all going to be there on Wednesday? Wednesday should be essential.”
Some criticisms of the A/B model were brought up.
It was mentioned that other districts were running two days a week instead of every other day like NRHEG.
“For Monday/Thursday kids, there’s a lot of Thursdays off (Thanksgiving etc.)” said Mark Domeier. “Two days a week doesn’t quite work.”
“We are really working with three different groups,” Domeier said. “We have to prepare for all of them. Wednesday is our time to find those kids who are slipping.”
“We have to be flexible on this,” said Supt. Dale Carlson. “We’re jamming what we’re doing now. There are no playbooks on this. We’re right in the middle of doing something brand new.”
“We’re going to have to deal with change even when this (pandemic) is over,” Domeier said. “There will still be Distance Learning.”
There was a meeting with school administrators and government officials about the current status of the crisis on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
“We have to make a decision based on what we think we can get by with,” said Schultz.
“One thing is certain,” said board member Travis Routh. “Everyone wants their kids back in school.”
The decision to go to full hybrid passed 4/3.
Construction
Brad Cooper of Knutson Construction was online to report on the progress of the construction project.
“We’re coming down to finishing touches,” said Cooper. “$8,500,000 worth of work in four months with no injuries or delays during a pandemic.”
Photos of the new science room and the new shop area (bio/chem spaces, new wood shop, new ag-industrial tech) were shown, and progress on the new entry in Ellendale was reported, as well as regarding and correcting the water problem in the old middle school wing.
Donations
Donations were accepted from NRHEG PTO, $1,442.50 Prep for Volta Spinner and $9,171.50 for Playground Cement; L & D Ag, $500 for Ag Mechanics tools for students, and Minnesota Valley Federal, $500 COVID donation. Totaling $11,614.00.
Fall Sports?
“There will be some fall activities,” said Secondary Principal David Bunn. “Not sure yet, but there was some discussion today.”
The next regular meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education will be held Monday, October 19, 2020, at the Secondary School Media Center, 6:30 p.m.