K-2 kids returning to school under a hybrid model for Heights

At their October 26 meeting, the Wisconsin Heights School District Board voted to move to a hybrid model for kindergarten through second grade for the second quarter, starting November 16. Third grade through the high school will remain online only. The unanimous decision by the board followed a lengthy discussion about a letter sent out to Black Earth Elementary parents specifying a return date of November 16. The board had not yet met or voted to approve that date for a hybrid start for K-2. An earlier letter sent to all parents, dated October 14, said “[W]e are looking at early to mid-November for any further expansion.” It also said the board would be acting on that expansion at the October 26 meeting. This echoed a presentation at the October 12 meeting. Board member Barb Statz took issue with the timing of the Black Earth Elementary letter, as it came prior to the board’s vote on October 26.  “The return into hybrid was reactionary,” said Statz. “[It] feels different.” “I would have liked to see a little bit of discussion of how this went down,” said Statz. At the time Statz said this--at the October 26 meeting--the board had not yet voted to go to the hybrid model. That vote came after the discussion by the board, and after the Black Earth Elementary letter specifying the November 16 return date. Statz was speaking to the letter, with the hybrid start date, coming out before the board approved it. Sinz explained that “That was always the idea,” in reference to a move to hybrid in mid-November. Statz said she would have liked to have seen the letter before it went to parents. “I felt blindsided,” she said. “I think we put the cart before the horse [in terms of the letter],” said board member Mike Wagner. “That was not the intention,” said Sinz. “Could that [letter] have been worded in a different way? Yes.” said District Administrator Jordan Sinz. “This is a great lesson,” said Sinz, in better communication. “I realize my bias,” said Statz, in reference to her being the parent of a child in the District. After discussion about how to phrase the motion, the board elected to follow the language on the agenda, and not set a formal end date. The hybrid model for K-2 will entail half-days for each student. The District will have two hours between sessions to clean. In a survey of K-2 parents, roughly two-thirds of kindergarten parents preferred a hybrid model. The vote was split 50/50 for first grade, with roughly 60 percent of second grade parents preferring the hybrid model. The District continues to work closely with the Department of Health in terms of schooling models. The Department recommends the hybrid model for K-2. “If they weren’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Sinz. The class labs continue at the Middle School/High School, with four classes. Principal Liz Dostal said attendance was less than expected. Director of Pupil Services Michael Green, in the context of student mental health, noted that extracurriculars were important. This comment was made in the context of a return to sports, and certain clubs meeting again. “It’s something that boosts morale,” said Green. Summer school principal Josie Geishirt resigned, explaining that she would like more time with her family during the summer.