Greenwood School Board Discusses COVID Plans for Next School Year; Masks Will Be Optional

Thursday, August 12th, 2021 -- 11:00 AM

The Greenwood School Board held a presentation on recommendations regarding COVID-19 and the start of the next school year.

District Administrator Todd Felhofer presented the administration team recommendation for the start of school. Masks will be recommended, but not required. Masks will be required on all school buses per the federal order currently in place.

The district will continue to practice physical distancing to the greatest extent practicable. Other mitigation measures will include promoting hand and respiratory hygiene and appropriate cleaning and disinfections practices.

The district will not be participating in the COVID-19: K-12 School Testing Program. The Clark County Health Department will make any determinations regarding quarantining or isolation of students and/or staff.

The district will monitor positive COVID-19 cases among students and staff. If the number of positive student cases raises above 5% of the district’s student population, the Board President will call a special board meeting to review the district guidelines and consider any necessary changes to the operational guidelines. The district will follow the WIAA fall sports guidelines.

The Board approved the plan presented by the Administration.  The Board also received an update on staffing.  All teaching positions are currently filled.  Elementary School is still interviewing for 2 Teacher Assistants.

The Board also approved the 2020-2021 budget adjustments, received a 2021-22 budget update from Ms. Zimmer, approved the 2021-22 service contract with Clark County ADS, and received an update on the 2021-22 premiums for the District’s Business Insurance Policy.

The Board also discussed the ESSER funds and planning and approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Clark County Community Services for Mental Health Counseling Services for 2021-22.

The Board also received the 2020-21 Report on Exclusion and Restraint, received an update on 2020-21 state assessment results, and conducted a first reading of the NEOLA policy update 30-1.

The Board also received an update on summer projects, maintenance and repair and received a copy of the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan.  The Board also accepted the $8,774.08 CTE Incentive Grant funds from the Wisconsin DPI and a $125 Educational Tagging Kit from the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortiumfor the Agriculture Department.

In employment matters, the Board approved the resignation of Ashley Brockman from her 4K Teaching position.  The Board approved the hiring of Nancy Abel as a substitute teacher, Chris Schmitz as the head football coach, Steve Travis as a Middle School football coach, and Kelsey Hoverson as a High School assistant volleyball coach.  The Board also approved the FFA trip to the FFA National Convention.

The Board also heard the various reports.  Board Member Mark Shain reported on the CESA board annual meeting.  The ESSER Funds Planning Committee also met.

Elementary Principal Joe Green provided an update of elementary school enrollment numbers. The plan is to bring back the Kids’ Club afterschool program. The elementary school has a surplus of school supplies.

Supplies are available to any student in need of them. Open House is on Wednesday, August 25th from 3:30-6:30 pm.  Athletic Director/Dean of Students Jenny Mayenschein reported on the initial participation in fall sports.

Cloverbelt Conference AD’s meeting is coming up to discuss conference concerns. One Act Play rehearsals will be starting soon. New this year, the district will have an eSports team. District is currently waiting on several bids for the possible replacement of the bleachers in the West Gym.

Finally, Mr. Felhofer provided the Board an update on the Special Session of the Legislature called by Gov. Evers. The sessions were gaveled in and immediately gavel out without taking up any of the items the governor wanted discussed.

Governor Evers has also indicated that he will not be issuing a mask mandate as a response to the increase in covid-19 cases in the state. The District is reviewing the curriculum binders to make sure they have the most recent versions of the model state standards included.

Open House is also August 25th from 3:30-6:30 pm. Students in grades 9-12 will be able to pick up their computers.  Finally, during the Communications from the Public portion of the meeting, a resident was happy to hear masks were to be recommended and not required, but was concerned with how close contacts would be reported and how long quarantines would be.

Another community member spoke about the importance of personal choice and personal responsibility. Another community member complimented the food service and custodial staff for their work during summer school. Finally, a community member inquired about the use of UV lights in the HVAC system to improve air quality.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.