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NR-S school board reconsiders virtual learning policy

This time a year ago, the NR-S School Board rejected a policy that some feared would eliminate the classic “snow day.”

Now, that policy is once again up for discussion, and board members had a far more favorable view of the proposed action at their most recent meeting.

If passed, Policy ABAC would allow the New Rockford-Sheyenne School District to temporarily offer virtual instruction when “weather or other conditions” require that hours of in-person instruction be canceled.

Back in September of 2021, board members expressed a number of concerns with the policy, namely that it would “destroy” snow days.

At the time, Board Member Patti Larson said, “Every kid from kindergarten to 12th [grade] would be in tears when they hear there’s no more school snow days, so let’s just leave it.”

Most, if not all, board members seemed to agree with that sentiment, and even NR-S faculty expressed concerns about the policy, citing the complexity of preparing for online learning on short notice.

However, at the board’s regular meeting last Monday, it became clear the events of last spring had changed opinions.

In April, a severe snow storm brought just about everything in North Dakota to a halt, including classes at NR-S.

Consequently, the days of learning that were lost had to be tacked on to the end of the school year - a situation many faculty and administration now believe could have been avoided.

The summary of proposed action for Policy ABAC recognizes the policy was already visited a year ago, but adds, “Since that time, weather events have evidenced a continued need to consider school closings.”

At the board meeting on Monday, Sept. 12, Principals Avolt Baumbach and Natalie Becker presented board members a document explaining what a “virtual learning day” might look like. Both said days of online learning would be centered around “review work.”

According to Becker, teachers for grades K-5 would have from 8 - 10 a.m. for “work time/collaboration time,” with review assignments and learning expectations posted on the online learning platform, Google Classroom, by 9 a.m.

Their students would be required to log into Google Classroom/meet at 10 a.m. for a morning meeting with their teacher, and Becker said that students logging into Google Classroom would act as the attendance count.

She added that elementary students will be provided a device by the school. The summary of proposed action states, “Retired Chromebooks will be issued to all elementary students to keep at home for use in this situation.”

Meanwhile, the schedule would be largely the same for grades 6-12, said Baumbach, with the exception that assignment completion for each class will act as the attendance count.

He added that teachers will set aside one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon for “office hours,” during which times students could log in and ask questions about their assignments.

The board seemed in agreement that something needs to be done to avoid adding days to the end of a school year, and they were assured that Policy ABAC would not eliminate snow days.

NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters said the district would likely utilize the policy only in the case of large impending blizzards - such as those seen last spring - or in the case of a significant plant failure (e.g. a boiler malfunction).

In other words, the odd snow day or two shouldn’t be going anywhere.

With that understanding, the board unanimously voted to approve a first reading of the policy, with a second and final reading to be voted on at their next regular meeting.

Also discussed at last Monday’s board meeting were the school’s final budget, the school district financial report and final certificate of levy.

The school district financial report, which was approved unanimously by the board, revealed that the general fund took a small hit following the 2021-22 school year, as expenditures exceeded revenue by just over $75,000.

However, Business Manager Dave Skogen said that, all totaled, the school ended on a “positive note,” as revenue exceeded expenditures in the capital projects and food service fund groups.

Skogen said the hit to the general fund can be explained, in part, by “heavy, heavy repair and maintenance costs,” but that overall, the district “didn’t turn out too bad.”

Meanwhile, the final budget, which was also approved unanimously, had a few small changes from the preliminary budget presented in August. The total appropriated expenditures for the 2022-23 school year amount to $5,332,674.12, while projected revenue is $5,335,252.90 - a difference of just $2,578.78.

Before adjourning, board members carried a motion to solicit bids for a new school bus. The transportation committee recommended the board solicit bids for a “rear engine transit unit,” as they believed it offered the best balance of durability, storage and cost.

The vehicle would be a Thomas Bus that seats 46 passengers, has 33” of leg room, “excellent” underbody storage and a 300HP/860 Torque engine with air brakes.

It’s projected to cost the district around $200,000, but almost half of that cost ($97,500) will be covered by an environmental quality grant.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 10 at 7 p.m.