Elk Mound School Board hears quarantine updates
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By Cara L. Dempski
ELK MOUND — On September 20, the Elk Mound School Board heard from district administrators that there are fewer than five active cases of COVID-19 per building, with approximately 15 students per building in quarantine.
The information was presented after a group of district parents led by Shannon Todd, who spoke during the citizens forum, indicated concerns about students who are “healthy,” or not showing symptoms of illness after exposure to another person with the virus, being asked to quarantine at home instead of at school. Todd asked the School Board if it would ever be permissible for parents to make quarantine decisions for their own children.
Eventually Superintendent Eric Wright spoke up, indicating any quarantine order issued by county public health officials would need to be followed, or the district would risk losing its liability insurance. Todd used an example of her son being in tears over a friend potentially missing a football game as an example of how upsetting quarantine can be for students.
After Todd’s comments concluded, the Board moved onto the evening’s business. This included the aforementioned quarantine information, as well as, the three principals’ reports on prior and upcoming events in their respective buildings.
Eric Hanson indicated there are 486 students at Moundview this year, with fourth grade being the largest class with 96 students. The school total shows a decrease of 13 students from last year. There are several events students are looking forward to, such as a third-grade field trip to the Ice Age Trail. The four-year-old kindergarten students are looking forward to a trip to Niblett’s Apple Farm.
Chris Hahn reported the middle school was presented a new flag by VFW Post 7232, and said middle school sports are at the midway point of their seasons. He also reported there have been some minor adjustments to bus routes to balance them out, and offered his appreciation for the bus drivers and their hard work.
On September 17, fifth-grade students took a field trip to the Minnesota Zoo. School picture day was held September 9, the Dunn County safe schools meeting is scheduled for October 13, and parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for October 14 and 18th. The Resource Fair will also be held October 14 in conjunction with parent-teacher conferences. There is an activity night on the calendar for October 15.
Paul Kling reported 76 of the total 79 incoming freshmen attended freshman orientation on August 25. Students and teachers appeared excited to return to school. He expressed gratitude to students and staff for the smooth start to the school year.
Fall sports have started, and Kling and student representative Olivia Schindler reported the volleyball team is having a good season, and the girls golf meet scheduled for September 20 was postponed due to the weather. They also reported the varsity football team won its most recent game, a home contest against the Osseo-Fairchild Thunder, and is anticipating the second half of its season.
Kling reported the marching band season concluded September 19, after the Marching Mounders participated in the Spring Valley Dam Days parade. The band competed at Glenwood City’s Rustic Lore parade on September12, where it won awards for best drum major, best color guard, best drum line, and was second place overall.
Homecoming festivities were scheduled for the week starting September 27, with dress up days for the week, the annual pep assembly, parade, and football game will be October 1. The dance is scheduled from 8 – 11:30 p.m., October 2, in the high school cafeteria.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for September 30 at the high school.
Wright explained how the district has used some of its ESSER Covid-19 mitigation funding by hiring and retaining two full-time substitute teachers, who are aware they could occasionally be asked to fill-in in other functions around the district, such as secretarial staff, or in food service.
The Board adjourned to closed session, where it approved hiring Amanda Kikilas as the new district clerical secretary.
The next School Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on October 18.