Owen-Withee School Board Discuss District's Mask Policy

Thursday, January 14th, 2021 -- 10:06 AM

The Owen-Withee School Board began their recent meeting with a discussion on the district’s mask policy.

The policy requires a student to wear a mask unless the school is provided an exemption from a doctor. Perspectives from both sides of the issue were presented in very professional, controlled, and yet impassioned manners.

The district’s mask policy will be continued with some minor changes.  The board also discussed next year’s calendar.  The approval of the calendar was tabled until the February meeting due to the failure to deliver the draft calendar to the OWEA in a timely manner.

District Administrator Bob Houts requested that the board table the item until the union had time to review it and have input. That request was approved on a unanimous voice vote.  Mr. Houts also provided a building update.

Planning is moving ahead well and the hope is that the next time the sub-committees meet some preliminary drawings will be available. He also reported that the initial work has begun, including survey work, Utility location and GeoTechnical work.

The board also discussed the WASB State Education Convention.  Six of the seven board members have registered to attend the virtual convention this year. Members have received an email and will participate in the convention beginning next week.

The board also reviewed the COVID Return to School plan.  The board went through the plan section by section to make any revision they thought appropriate. For now, they will stay at 4 days per week face-to-face, but will look to transition to 5 days.

Individual instruction time on Fridays, lunch issues and preparation time are items that need to be addressed. All non-athletic activities continue to be cancelled through the 3rd quarter of the year unless approved by the building principal.

Overnight travel will continue to be prohibited through the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Use of the building by outside groups, that involve Owen-Withee students only, will be allowed for the remainder of the school year with permission of the District Administrator.

Also, Mr. Houts will work with the District Director of Food Service, Belinda Stratton, to develop a plan to help provide more efficient delivery of food to students.

One change to the face mask policy is the statement, “In these cases (students with a doctor’s note), a face shield will be required” was removed from the plan. The revised plan can be found on the district’s website. The board voted 7-0 to approve these changes to the plan.

The board also discussed the spring election.  There are 6 candidates running for the 3 spots open in this spring’s election, so no primary is necessary. The 6 candidates are: Julie Wendler (Incumbent), Angela Greschner (Incumbent), Paul Heggemeier (Incumbent), Todd Nelson, Tim Sirois and Bob Wilczek. All six names were put in a hat and the ballot order was selected. That order is Greschner, Wilczek, Wendler, Sirois, Nelson, and Heggemeier.

The board also reviewed the Emergency Lockdown Drill.  Elementary Principal Julie Van Ark and Middle/High School Principal Matt Cihlar reported on the lockdown drill that was held on January 7th in both the elementary and middle school/high school. Most of the drill went very well.

A few things were learned that can be improved on. Owen-Withee Police Chief Jesus Ibarra was on hand to observe the drill and gave some suggestions.  The board also approved the extension of FFCRA Sick Time.

The 10 days of sick leave provided to employees as part of the CARES act to cover time that was mandated by quarantine expired on December 31st.  To provide protection to employees and to provide an equitable benefit, the board unanimously approved extending the 10 days benefit through June 30th.

Mr. Cihlar also presented proposed curriculum changes for the 2021-22 school year. Most of the changes are either editorial or removing classes that are no longer offered. After minimal discussion the board approved the changes on a 7-0 vote.

Mr. Houts presented to the board the WERC list of Consumer Price Index increases for contracts negotiated with unions. The numbers range for 1.56% to 1.31%. The value that they will have to use for contracts that begin July 1st will be available in February, but should be in that range.

Also, each year the board must set limits to the number of new students the district will accept in open-enrollment the following year for special education students and for regular education students.

The board also voted to move the regular February Board Meeting.  Due to a conflict with a boys basketball game, the board unanimously approved moving the February meeting one week later than usual to Monday, February 15 at 7:00 PM.

The board heard the Administrators’ Reports.  Mrs. Van Ark reported that Riah Renderman won the Schierl Tire and Service Holiday Coloring Contest, earning the school a $250 donation from Schierl. The money will be used to purchase new soccer nets, balls and jump ropes for the playground.

Winter assessments are in full swing with teachers assessing student progress. Today is Hat Day in support of a fundraiser for the family of Sophi Sanchez. Finally, the Angel Tree project was a tremendous success again this year.

Special thanks to Kerry Ingredients employees, Little Tykes Learn and Play, school staff members, Emmanuel Lutheran and Nazareth Churches and the many community members who help provide gifts for 69 children.

Special thanks to Mrs. Korn for, once again, going above and beyond to make this project a reality. Mr. Cihlar reported that middle school girl’s basketball has started with twelve 7 th grade girls and eight 8th graders.

The STEM Camp For Girls, originally scheduled for early November has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 6. The end of the semester is January 19th, with semester exams being administered January 20th and 21st. Second semester will begin on Monday, January 25th.

Mr. Houts distributed a handout to the board that dealt with the legal issues mandating vaccines, or not, for COVID-19. The board will read and review at the February meeting.

Travis Engel and Mr. Houts wrote and submitted a grant application to the Department of Workforce Development to help pay for some equipment in the new Ag/Tech area. Equipment included a CNC Plasma Cutter/Router and a CNC Mill.

Finally, Mr. Houts thanked the community members who came to the meeting to address the mask policy. Every interaction he has had with this group of people has been courteous and professional.

While the passion that people feel for the subject is very obvious, the communication has been controlled and extremely appropriate.

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