MFL MarMac school board, staff weigh in on value of virtual snow days
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
MFL MarMac school board members and staff, at the March 14 school board meeting, weighed in on the value of the district’s March 7 virtual snow day.
After two regular snow days earlier this winter, the virtual day was the first of two allowed by the board to prevent making up days at the end of the school year.
“I wondered what the overall feel was from the staff? Did they think it was a success?” asked board member Roberta Hass. “When you have one day out of the blue, it’s hard to be really structured.”
Collin Stubbs inquired about feedback from parents. “Was it adequately communicated ahead of time and people understood what they needed to do that day?”
“I think we could do a better job communicating,” acknowledged superintendent Dale Crozier, “but we did what we could. It was the first time through.”
Elementary students worked on “snow day” packets that were sent home ahead of time as part of their virtual plan. Middle and high school students were advised to check their emails and Canvas for instructions from teachers.
“There were things to do in every class,” said middle school principal Denise Mueller. “Some had assignments, some read to their students for so many minutes, and some, like P.E. teachers, said do a physical activity for so many minutes. It varies that way.”
In addition to posting assignments on the Canvas site and communicating via email, high school principal Larry Meyer said teachers were also available at least one hour during the day if students needed to reach them.
Both Meyer and Mueller reported no negative comments, and few kids had to make up course work the following day.
Board member and parent Jonathon Moser, who has middle and elementary school students, said the day went well at his house, but fellow board member Tonya Meyer wondered if there could have been more interaction or structure.
“With staff, is there a minimum amount they have to do virtual? It just seemed like it was all over the place, that some teachers did a lot more than other teachers. I was expecting a little more for my kids,” she commented, calling the day “practically a snow day” for her middle school-age students.
“I just question was it worth doing? Did we get anything out of it for the kids?” she wondered.
High school math teacher Erik Peterson said he posted a 20-problem quiz on Canvas. Some kids were working on it within five minutes, while others completed it later in the day.
Peterson liked that the assignment wasn’t too long, but still prepared students for an assessment the following day.
“Some kids said, ‘That was great, that was easy. I knew what I was doing. It refreshed me and I was ready to go today.’ That’s what I was looking for out of it,” he said. “And I could keep moving, which was nice. It saved me from another day of the week gone.”
“For what they are, I think they did what we asked,” said Moser.
While the board can make virtual learning more stringent, Crozier noted the greatest value is in preventing make up days.
“It’s easier to manage, at the end of the year, when the kids are all ready to leave,” he explained. “We have one more virtual day. If we have a third day, we’re making it up, unless the board does something else. I like that we have two less days at the end of the year.”
Budget and calendar approved
The board approved the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget, with a proposed property tax rate of $14.33814 per $1,000 taxable valuation. That’s down from $14.54 in the current fiscal year.
The 2022-2023 calendar was also approved, with school starting Aug. 23 and ending May 23. The calendar includes two built-in snow days (or other days as determined later) that students will not have to make up.
Staff will receive retention incentives
In light of state-wide staffing shortages due in large part to the pandemic and its residual effects, the board approved a retention incentive for staff in order to maintain adequate levels at all positions through this and the coming school year.
This includes $1,000 payments to all qualifying full-time teachers, in accordance with the governor’s state retention payment plan (along with a request for full reimbursement of the district’s portion of FICA/Medicare). A one-time retention incentive payment of $1,000 will also go to teachers and other staff not covered by the governor’s retention plan, excluding non-teaching coaches, substitutes and the superintendent, at his request.
Staffing changes approved
The board considered several staffing changes at last weeks meeting. Contracts were approved for Paul Rasmussen - seventh grade volleyball coach, Chessie Andrist - assistant softball coach, Jess Brehmer - assistant girls track coach, Stephanie Michel - seventh grade boys track coach, Max Havlicek - assistant baseball coach, Paul Gordon - assistant football coach, Curtis Goodman - summer weight room supervisor, Mike Driscoll - assistant boys basketball coach and Sarah Strong - elementary paraprofessional.
Resignations were accepted for Mike Driscoll - seventh grade girls basketball coach, Eliza Philpott - curriculum director and Brandon Burke - assistant boys basketball coach and summer weight room supervisor.
