Neillsville School Board Approves February Operational Plan

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 -- 11:01 AM

Students at the Neillsville School District will return to 4 days of in person learning in February.

At the district’s school board meeting on Monday, the board approved the February calendar and operational plan.  4K children will continue to be divided into two groups (M/W, T/TH).

Students will attend school all day on their assigned attendance days, and have Fridays off.  The rest of the elementary, middle and high school students will attend in person 4 days a week, Monday-Thursday, and Fridays will still be used as an “at home study” day and “staff outreach” day. 

Lockers will only be used to store coats and jackets, so students should use backpacks during the day to carry class materials.  Most other procedures will remain the same.  Face coverings will still be required in the building and on buses.  Social distancing will still be enforced.

The district will still limit non-essential visitors and admitted visitors will still need a facemask.  Open campus will be allowed in the 2nd semester.  The district will still offer remote learning options for students and, if coronavirus numbers should increase, the district will have the option of adjusting the schedule or even closing the school.

The board also drew lots for the spring ballot order.  Deanna Heiman will be listed first on the ballot with Dewey Poeschel listed second. The ballots will read, “Vote for no more than two”.

The board also approved the course handbooks for the 2021-2022 school year as presented, approved the annual safety drills as presented, approved the monetary donation from TriCor Insurance for the amount of $100, and approved the open enrollment program limits as presented.

In employment matters, the board approved the resignation of Michelle Grap as support secretary, Tricia Hausauer a teaching assistant, and Taylor Vander Wegen as the elementary art teacher.

The board approved the hiring of Sara Gripentrog as a teaching assistant and approved the reassignment of Laurie Klieforth.  The board also heard the Administrators’ Reports.

Elementary Principal Marcy Kunze reported on attendance, remote learners, FastBridge screening, essential learning target refresher, elementary student council, and school resource officer Deputy Dylan Baxter.

Middle School Principal Kory Poeschel reported on attendance, availability of substitute teachers, remote learners, character trait of the month, monthly guidance lesson, 2021-22 course registration and ACP week, Wisconsin standards for mathematics review and revision process, and professional development.

High School Principal Craig Anderson reported on attendance, 2021-2022 school year scheduling, vocal music update, and guidance office and ACP updates.

Finally, District Administrator John Gaier reported on the district’s social media report card, school resource officer emblem, 2021 billing rates from Boardman, Neillsville student population map, a summary of provisions impacting education, Wisconsin Policy Forum taxes update, and the COVID-19 Bill.

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