During the Wautoma Area School District monthly board meeting on Sept. 14 in the Wautoma High School Library, members of the Board of Education discussed the structure of facial coverings if the mandate put in place by Governor Tony Evers is lifted on Sept. 28.
After researching the effectiveness of facial coverings as well as looking at what has happened at Parkside over the past week, Rheinheimer believes facial coverings have proven to reduce the distance of transmission. He recommended the Board keep the facial coverings mandatory in school after the mandate is lifted as part of the WASD reopening plan. According to the school administrators, there have been no reports of the masks disrupting class and students have been compliant in regard to wearing them.
During the discussion, Rheinheimer provided information from the other CESA 5 Schools regarding what they plan to do after the mask mandate is lifted, with 13 schools planning to keep the facial covering requirement in place.
“Even if it gives us half a percent chance of keeping schools open one day longer, I say we do it,” stated WASD Board Member Adam Heding. Board members across the room were in agreement, even with the dicey topic, that keeping the masks until further notice would be beneficial.
Prior to the facial covering discussion, the Board heard a presentation on human trafficking from Jonelle Erickson, a Redgranite Elementary teacher who has a passion for educating students as well as the community on the impact of human trafficking in Wisconsin and throughout the United States.
The presentation began with a short video introducing the topic. Human trafficking is a rising issue in the U.S. and includes the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or sex acts. It is considered to be modern day slavery. The presentation focused on being proactive with informing youth and adults the dangers of human trafficking along with how it affects our youth.
Human trafficking is often targeted to underage individuals, especially through social media. Finding what makes them most vulnerable allows the trafficker to use that against their prey. It is considered a billion dollar industry and a rising concern throughout Wisconsin, even in small communities.
Traffickers can be anyone and anywhere. Teaching children the danger of human trafficking, also known as sex trafficking, is an important task with the rising danger. Educating on warning signs is a top priority for educators to prevent trafficking.
Following the pre-sentation, Wautoma Area School District Administrator Tom Rheinheimer updated the Board on how they have been handling students who have symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day. If any student possesses a symptom they are automatically sent home to reduce any more potential contact with others. It is non-negotiable for those experiencing symptoms. If a doctor does write off the symptoms as not COVID-19 then they are able to return to school with the signed doctor’s note and do not have to quarantine.
The administrators from each of the schools up-dated the Board on their current virtual numbers, with Wautoma High School Principal Jennifer Johnson and Assistant Principal Doug Beattie reporting 105 students are enrolled virtually, with 26% being freshman, 22% sophomores, 21% juniors, and 31% seniors. Jewel Mucklin, Riverview Elementary principal, reported about 20% of students are completing virtual education, while Redgranite Elementary Principal Caitlin Reinke informed the Board that 26 students of the school are enrolled virtually.
At this time, Parkside School has 26%, or 116 students, who are enrolled virtually, according to Principal Deb Premo. She also stated that at this time Parkside has also seen 26 students change their education method, with 13 students returning to in-person instruction and 13 students switching to virtual.
Fall athletics kicked off during the week. Athletes will receive four tickets for outdoor events and two for indoor events and they will need to provide names of their guests to their coaches in order for them to check in to the games.
The Board went on to approve the new Fox Valley Technical College Quest Program, which will provide an opportunity for students who are at-risk of not receiving enough credit sto gradate to receive their HSED.
The following agenda items were approved by the board: the resignation of Jeannie Loberg, A+ After School Enrichment Leader; Jeanene Roberts, A+ After School Enrichment Leader; Jeanene Roberts, Temporary Riverview Lunchroom Custodian; A+ After School Program Support Assistant; Nola Bailk, A+ After School Enrichment Leader; the employment of Janet Gardner, Temporary Riverview Lunchroom Custodian; Gail Gombos, Temporary Redgranite Lunchroom Custodian; Dan-iel Bielmeier, Bus Driver; Alisha Basel-Anderson, Riverview Steering Team Grade 2 Representative; A+ After School Staff; Information Only: Staff Transfer: Riverview Program Assistant; Information Only: Staff Transfer: Riverview Teacher Assistant; 7th Grade Volleyball Coach; Formation of a Charter School Investigation Committee – Academy of Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Education and Business; and the Creation of Temporary Saturday Bus Cleaner Position.
The next monthly board meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 12, at 6:15 p.m. in the Wautoma High School Library.
