The Wautoma Area School District held their monthly Board of Education meeting on August 10 in the Wautoma High School Library. As back to school time fast approaches, the Board discussed some important issues surrounding open house, bussing plans, and fall sports.
The District has been working hard to prepare for their doors reopening in the coming weeks. Open House is a yearly event for students to tour their classrooms for the upcoming year. District Administrator Tom Rheinheimer stated that making sure everything is ready for opening day is a top priority.
Open House typically draws in many families to the buildings. This year only certain groups will be able to schedule times to come in; for example, 4K and Kindergarten students attending Riverview and Redgranite Elementary Schools as well as fourth graders entering Parkside from Riverview and sixth graders transferring from Redgranite Elementary to Parkside School, will be able to schedule times to view their new school. Families wanting to bring in school supplies will be able to beforehand. Supplies will be marked and quarantined for 72 hours once entering the building.
Transportation has been in the works for a while now, with plans being finalized and routes being tested. Each student will have an assigned spot on the bus. Families will not be able to switch buses for their children to ride home together. In the morning the plan is for rural students to ride in first and city residents second. In the afternoon it will switch with city residents riding first and rural students second. There will be no congregation when boarding the bus to reduce social gatherings.
Virtual learning is being offered to students who are uncomfortable in the classroom setting. So far Parkside Middle School has their virtual count at a little over 10%, Redgranite Elementary at under 10%, and Riverview Elementary and the High School at 10%. Principals are also working on their individual building plans. Documents will be sent out on Aug. 17 with more information on reopening, along with health screening guidelines and what to do when sick.
Band and choir will also look different this year. The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) has released guidelines for students involved in the music environment. Band will be outside as much as possible, with social distancing. Choir will be in the PAC for practice with choral students sitting in the seats in order to maintain six feet physical distancing. They will also be provided with singing masks.
Fall sports is another decision that will be coming up for schools across the State. Rheinheimer recommends to sit tight until a statement is released by the WIAA. If they do not release a statement or provide guidelines the school will have to talk to their liability insurance company on what the safest route would be. The top priority is to protect the students, no matter how hard the decision is to make. “We’re all for sports until it puts the academic school year at risk,” pointed out Board President Ross Peterson.
Cross Country are able to start practices beginning August 17. Coach Bob Barbarich will be following all of the guidelines that were released for the sport. This includes Wild Rose and Wautoma being separated for the start of the season.
A discussion regard-ing Policy 2266: Non-discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities was held. This new policy has been in the works since COVID-19 hit. This new policy has been put in place throughout schools in Wisconsin and puts schools more in charge of deciding on issues surrounding the topic. Complimentary training will be provided to staff.
The following agenda items were approved by the board: the resignation of Eric Plaster, Boys Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach; the employment of Eric Plaster, Soccer, Boys Varsity Head Coach; Katherine Parks, A+ After School Redgranite Site Coordinator; A+ After School Staff; Mark Espersen, Bus Driver; Mark Marquardt, Bus Driver; and Emily Heideman, Librarian Media Specialist; Revised and/or New Policies, 1st Consideration; Temporary Increase in Redgranite Reading Interventionist Hours Due to COVID-19; and Temporary Increase in Assistant Hours Due to COVID-19.
A budget hearing is scheduled on Monday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. with the annual meeting taking place at 7 p.m. The next monthly meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 14, at 6:15 p.m. in the Wautoma High School Library.
