“We continue to maintain relatively stable numbers within the building,” he said. “Principal Brian Michaelson and his staff have been doing a phenomenal job of making sure we have qualified teachers in classrooms during the course of the day. It is refreshing to see how many people are stepping up to help. Everybody is pitching together and it is working.”
Board member Gary Stennes said that, during the community listening session prior to the board meeting, it was mentioned that parents need to keep sick children home to prevent the spread of illness.
According to statistics on the school’s COVID dashboard, as of Oct. 28 there have been 71 confirmed cases in the 595 students since August. One case was reported in August, 34 in September and 36 to date in October. Three cases are currently active.
Among the 100 staff members, there have been 15 confirmed cases. One case was reported in August, four in September and 10 in October. Three cases are currently active.
In other action, the board:
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Accepted contributions totaling $8,305 that included three donations from the Nevis Fire Person’s: $3,500 for fitness center equipment, $2,000 to Tiger Time (a program that rewards students for positive outcomes) and $1,500 to the school book club as well as a $1,250 Perkins Grant for use by teacher Olaf Netteberg for charging stations.
Approved the 2020-21 teacher seniority list used to identify placement in steps and lanes on the salary schedule. Teachers are able to progress a step annually based upon time in the district and may also progress by lanes as they gain graduate credits germane to their teaching assignment. The list was reviewed by teachers prior to approval.
Heard from Stennes that a suggestion shared during the listening session was to have mentors provide information to students about different trades as well as have veterans of the military share about their experiences.
Heard from board member Ed Becker that negotiations with classified and bus drivers continue to move forward.
Heard from Michaelson that Nov. 5 is the end of the first quarter and there will be no school Monday, Nov. 8.
Heard from teacher Olaf Netteberg that community members should look at the daily announcement page on the website to see everything Nevis High School students are involved in.
The next school board meeting will be Monday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the school media center and on Zoom. A listening session for the public and one school board member will be held in the school cafeteria from 6:15-6:45 on the same night.
