Cornell School Board; New school year begins as normal as possible

By Ginna Young

Many have questioned what the Cornell School District reopening plan looks like and at a public hearing during the regular school board meeting Aug. 23, that was revealed. While COVID-19 cases are increasing in the county, the district is not planning to use masks, except on buses where they are required.

“We’re going to be conducting in-person learning, unless we’re told we can’t,” said superintendent Paul Schley.

The school has increased HVAC through the building and will have “super cleaning” every Wednesday night, in the facilities. The district is asking parents to screen kids at home for symptoms of COVID-19 and to get them tested if they have a cough, shortness of breath or a high fever.

“But really, it’s what we did last year, except no masks,” said Schley. “I’ve had no calls saying, please put masks on kids. I’ve had several calls, saying, please do not put masks on kids.”

Board clerk Eileen Sikora questioned what the policy is if families want their child to wear a mask. Schley says that is each family’s preference.

“We’re not saying you can’t,” said Schley.

“Same as staff,” agreed middle/high school principal Dave Elliott.

Members approved the plan, just in time for school to start two days later.

They also agreed on a Resolution for MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions. The district is not doing an HRA for people in the future and there are funds that people weren’t eligible to take with them when they left the district.

“It’s just sitting there,” said Schley. “They can’t give it back to us, unless they have a resolution from you guys to do that.”

With the resolution approval, the forfeited balances go back to the district.

Also approved, was the Educational Assistance Plan, to help employees pay off college pre-tax. With the agreement, Schley can move forward and work through the logistics of the plan.

“If we can make a way for this to happen, I want to be able to have it ready for them,” said Schley.

Members also accepted the retirement of evening middle/high school custodian Gary Sikora and the resignation of band/choir/ general music/grant coordinator Shannon Gusé.

The board also approved the hire of band/choir/general music/ grant coordinator Linda Koenig; and evening middle/high school custodian aid Emily Geist.

They also nominated E. Sikora to run for the Wisconsin Area School Board (WASB) Region 4 director position that is up for grabs.

“I think it’s great we have somebody trying,” said Schley, “because the more stuff we get on at the state level, regional level, I think that’s just good for the district.”

During the meeting, Schley reported that he doesn’t have prices yet on redoing the track, but says regardless, the tennis courts must be done.

“As bad as they are, we have to maintain those,” he said. “But the track really needs it, too. We couldn’t have home meets this year, and it’s only getting worse.”

And while it was not on the agenda, Schley says he wants the board to consider helping with the City of Cornell-Field of Dreams project, which was set up to replace the fence at the Mill Yard Park baseball field, as well as the backstop, dugouts and infield.

“I was thinking, when they (city) redid the softball field… they fixed that softball field up for us and for everyone else that uses it,” said Schley. “Maybe the district should help with that field that supports our youth programs. I think it’d be good for us to help,” he said. “It’s not a ton of money in our big scheme of things.”

The board agreed to put the matter on a future agenda.

With the school reopening, Elliott also briefed the board on the district bringing back the Excel Program, which is academic and incentivebased. The program is direct help for students who need it, where students can sign up or teachers can request the student get help.

“That allows us to work directly with kids,” said Elliott.