The Garretson School Board met on May 10, 2021. The major topics of the meeting were the initial presentation of next year’s budget, approve changes to the COVID-19 mitigation measures at the end of the school year and talk about the initial implementation of the Masonic Model, a way to help with learning loss and students' mental health.
The board began with regular business, approving quotes, approving financial statements and paying the school’s outstanding bills.
Business Manager Jacob Schweitzer presented the initial budget for next year. The board then set July 12, 6 p.m. as their planned time and date for the 2022 budget hearing.
The board then approved the 2020 audit report that was produced by by Quam, Berglin, and Post, P.C. A copy of that report was published in the Gazette in our May 6th issue.
Next to come before the board was their renewal in the South Dakota High School Activities Association.
The joke was made around the table that the school did not, in fact, have to join the SDHSAA. In jest, Supt. Johnson pointed out that they could become an association of one, and they would simply have to play all sports and do all activities by themselves. After a laugh, the board voted to renew their membership to SDHSAA.
Next, they were presented with the SDHSAA ballot for the coming year. These votes were to fill officer roles and support measures of the SDHSAA charter. The board voted yes on Amendment #1, they voted for Cooper Garnos for West River At-Large Representative, for Derek Barrios for Division III Representative - Superintendent, and Jeff Kosters for Division IV Representative - Athletic/Activities Director.
Next was a request from the administration to amend the school calendar for the 2021-22 school year.
Something that was tried during this past year with all the complication from the COVID-19 pandemic was early dismissal on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Supt. Johnson, the administration team, and teachers desired the school continue that policy into next year.
Their argument was that this time could be used for staff development and is useful for student educational programs, such as the Masonic Model. The board said that they knew many parents had to adjust their schedules, but that overall, it was essential to teachers to have that prep and catch-up time each week. Leaving that scheduling time open for other programs and possibilities would be ideal for what the school has planned going forward. The board voted to make it so.
Next, the board discussed and then agreed to rescind many of the COVID safety provisions they had operated under this year.
With the vaccine rollout being very successful in South Dakota, and the FDA now authorizing vaccines for more school age children and the CDC relaxing safety guidelines, they felt that next year the restrictions for attending school could be eased.
The changes include opening the school’s facility to outside groups, which is good because several summer sports camps and several events for the upcoming Jesse James Days are being planned to be hosted at the school this summer.
Next year masks will be recommended, but not required for students attending school. The school will also no longer be offering the online attendance option. The weight room max capacity will also return to pre-COVID levels. The board voted to approve these measures, but left the mandatory mask policy for students in effect until the official last day of school.
Supt. Guy Johnson then gave his report to the board. He elaborated on the aforementioned Masonic Model training, a topic he had brought to the board on previous occasions. Essentially, it is a model to help repair the damage inflicted on the student population by the COVID-19 pandemic. Academically and emotionally, the pandemic has done a great deal of harm to students across the state, nation, and the world at large. To combat this, funds are being distributed nationwide to offer programs to help students with developmental needs, whatever they are, so that they can succeed academically and see an improvement of their overall mental health and well-being. Staff training for this will be challenging, but post-2020-21 he said his confidence in our staff has never been stronger, as throughout this crisis they have been both professional and flexible meeting the challenges put before them. This is part of the reason that he requested the early Wednesday dismissal be kept, as it will give them the opportunity to train teachers and work with students on an individual basis to give them the personal attention that they need. They are also starting a new program titled Blue Dragon Reach and hiring a new counselor for the district.
The board did have an executive session that went from 6:49 p.m. until 7:33 p.m., but no action was taken after this other than to adjourn.
The next meeting of the Garretson School Board will be on June 14 at 5:45 p.m. at the school library.
