NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
At the Aug. 17 meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education, the members discussed the school’s proposed learning plan, which follows the state mandate of three possible learning models. They are In-person Learning, Hybrid Learning, and Distance Learning.
After considering the decision of the Board’s Advisory Council appointed to come up with a proposal, and nearly three hours of discussion, they agreed on an initial plan which has In-person Learning for the Elementary school and Hybrid Learning for the Secondary school.
Learning Models
The In-person learning model has everyone attending class as usual, only with a full set of precautions, including social distancing (and creating adequate space for it), face masks when inside, frequent cleaning of high-touch areas, and parental responsibility for student pre-screening.
The Distance Learning Only model involves in-home learning with online resources, to be adopted if there is a significant worsening of the Covid-19 metrics.
The option for Distance Learning Only must be available to any student requesting it.
The Hybrid Model proposes limiting the occupancy of the school to be at a 50 percent maximum level, or less if that is not adequate for social distancing. The model has each individual student attending class ever other day and home learning every other day. The Hybrid Model includes take-home meals and mobile devices.
Parents will be responsible for monitoring students’ temperatures every morning and making appropriate decisions about that day.
Each district is required to have a learning plan in place and a learning model with which they will begin the year. This must be in line with the latest data on the case rate in the respective counties.
The conflict arose as Supt. Dale Carlson pointed out that the State mandates that the decision is based on the current and projected COVID-19 case rate in the district counties, and that rate has been taking a recent upturn.
However, members including Travis Routh pointed out that those numbers include cities with their own school districts, and the overall figures do not necessarily represent the threat to our district.
Nonetheless, the District is bound to abide by the ruling of the State.
If there continues to be an upturn, the District will be required to switch to a stricter learning model “quickly.”
Details
Elementary Principal Doug Anderson and Secondary Principal David Bunn were on hand to talk about particulars.
The Elementary school has many large spaces where social distancing can be practiced. Cleaning and sanitization are “aggressive,” said Anderson, and the learning spaces will be “open door” to minimize hand contact with surfaces. The school will provide masks.
The Bridges and most Kindergarten spaces are already good for social distancing, Anderson said. The Kindergarten will follow the “A-B” Hybrid pattern through September, the same way it’s always been done for the first week.
Board members asked about music and in-school athletics.
“Music is a go,” said Bunn. “We have a larger space to work in. But as far as concerts, I really don’t know.”
Outside activities should be okay, but equipment must be cleaned immediately after.
“We are going to be allowing backpacks for now,” said Bunn, “as we are going to be limiting access to lockers and gathering in hallways.
“We really don’t know how it’s going to go with the hallways until it happens. We don’t have the luxury of ‘One-Way Hallways.’”
Hands must be sanitized before and after entering a learning space.
Restrooms will be cleaned frequently.
Visitors will be limited to outside of the school buildings.
Food Service, at least for the first quarter, will be “all disposable” take-home meals, according to Supt. Carlson. “I don’t think we’ll have to go to not having lunch.” Meals will be distributed for the next day.
Field trips and assemblies will be discontinued until further notice, and all doors will be blocked open.
Still to be decided
Can teachers teach Distance Learning from home?
“We’re still working on that,” said Carlson.
Should we drop a school day every other week to clean? Like every other Friday? Maybe.
Details about intramural athletics and activities are not as yet determined.
“We have three weeks to go, and still a lot of planning to do,” said Carlson.
Board chair Rick Schultz declared that a decision had to be made, and the mixed plan was passed in a split decision of 5 for and 2 against.
Coaches Compensation
The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding covering an unplanned shortened season of MSHSL and non-MSHSL activities and an alternative means of determining what amount of contract should be forthcoming.