Lake Holcombe School Board; COVID protocols change to keep kids learning

By Ginna Young

Numbers of COVID-19 cases are going down in the Lake Holcombe School District as of the school board meeting Nov. 15, but there has been an uptake in quarantines. Superintendent Kurt Lindau says many of the quarantines are a result of close contacts in the home.

Masks and getting vaccinated are highly recommended by health officials, and the district, but for now, extensive cleaning is a good defense against sickness in the school.

“If you’re sick, stay home,” said Lindau. Once they get past the Thanksgiving break, Lindau recommended to the board that the protocol plan should move to quarantine those of close contacts in the home, those who test positive and those who are symptomatic. Prior to that, if a teacher tested positive, the school would need to quarantine the entire class.

After Nov. 29, with the new amendment, the district would only need to identify the kids closest to the person who tested positive, to help keep the students in their best learning environment.

“This isn’t doing anything for student achievement,” said Lindau of the current measures. “Unfortunately, I think COVID is here to stay; something that we’re going to have to continue to deal with.”

“I think you’re right,” said board president Brian Guthman.

As he’s said since the beginning of the school year, Lindau plans to keep the school open as long as they can staff the place. There are waivers available if the board feels they can’t meet the state required hours of instruction.

Jamie Tester Morfoot, board member, said she feels that the district should require masks to reduce the cases/quarantines. Morfoot mentioned that they are moving into the time of year where kids are inside more and closer to each other, especially with large groups of family for the holidays.

“I don’t think that that’s the direction that we necessarily want to go,” she said.

“I don’t feel that until it’s mandated, that we can make people wear a mask,” said board treasurer Anneleise Willmarth.

Guthman said he agrees with Morfoot, but thinks that parents who want their kids to wear masks, are having the kids do so.

“It’s the best thing that they could do, is masking,” said Guthman. “If things go south, we’re going to have to think about a mandate.”

Willmarth asked if there is any provision built in, that if a certain percentage of cases occurs, the district would move to a mask requirement. Lindau said they do not have that built in, as there are unique factors in each situation.

The board approved Lindau’s new COVID protocol, with four in favor (Matt Flater, Guthman, Debbi Readinger, Willmarth) and one opposed (Morfoot).

Also changed, were the adult meal prices for staff who eat lunch at the school. New prices include the breakfast from $2.45 to $2.60, and lunch from $4.05 to $4.65.

The district is still providing free breakfast and lunch to all students this year, as part of a COVID program. Lindau says there is traction happening at the legislative level to make the free meals permanent.

“We’ll just have to watch and see what happens,” he said.

In looking at what other schools are paying for middle school referees per game, Lindau asked that Lake Holcombe raise the rates to attract officials to the games. Receiving an increase in middle school volleyball, referees went from $65 to $70; middle school football, from $55 to $70; JV football, from $60 to $65; and middle school basketball from $65 to $70.

If there are two games back-to-back, the rates will be split between the two games, so, for example, the rate would be $35 per game.

Also approved, was the hire of assistant track coach Courtney Yanko; co-middle school girls basketball coach Kari Frear; and assistant forensics adviser Laura Porter.

Members also accepted $56.20, from Eastbay Lodge to the music department; $50, from Frances Luethi to the after-school program; $300, from an anonymous donor to the boys middle school basketball program; and $5,000, from the Mayo Foundation for Medical to the greenhouse/hydroponic management, overseen by Kent Dorney.

The board also gave their blessing on a resolution supporting a vaping class action lawsuit.

“There’s a law firm that is formulating a class action lawsuit against the JUUL corporations,” said Lindau.

Like other school districts, Lindau admitted that vaping is a problem, but that the school could receive a settlement.

“We have nothing to lose,” he said. “I think it’s a good statement for the health of our students and the student body. It’s not the safe alternative to smoking.”

Lindau also received permission to join the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WRSA), although he and Guthman thought Lake Holcombe was part of WRSA already. Lindau says he thinks it would be good for Lake Holcombe to join.

For $500 annually, the 167 school member districts in the state get weekly updates and have students eligible for scholarships. WRSA also hires a rural education lobbyist for a voice to promote rural school districts.

When evaluating the partnership with the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, Lindau says the school resource officer (SRO) talks went well.

“So far, so good,” said Lindau. However, Lindau did remind parents that the SRO is not in the school to do the teachers’ jobs, but to build relationships, as a residual benefit throughout the community.

Ntera was also a visitor to the building, where they tested the broadband fiber, with an overall good rating and no gray areas. Things were found to be well-documented by technology coordinator Dale Mahalko.

“A couple things that came out of that, we’ll likely move to hosting our Skyward back-up off-site,” said Lindau.

The board was also reminded that this is the third and final year of the operating referendum, so, in the spring election, they will need to ask the voters to renew the funding. More than half the schools in the state have gone to operating referendums in the last 10 years.

“It’s just a way of life,” said Lindau. Quarles & Brady, LLP were engaged to do the legal work needed for the referendum. The board will need an initial adoption resolution at either the December or January board meetings, standard as to what’s been done in the past.

While on the topic of spring elections, Lindau mentioned that Morfoot and board clerk Debbi Readinger are up for election, and that if they choose to run, the district needs to know as soon as possible.

At the meeting, the state report cards had yet to come out, but Lindau said despite the outcome, Lake Holcombe continues to focus on achievement.

“Like many school districts, we have work to do,” said Lindau.

“A lot of our high school teachers and middle school teachers have worked to do homework help during lunch, so we’ve expanded that program to help kids,” added principal Chris Stahlheim.

Lindau also reported that the school recently hosted a well-attended Veterans Day program, as well as a speaker about resiliency, responsibility and respect. They also saw senior Brooke Lechleitner compete at State for swimming.

“It was kind of a positive and uplifting week,” said Lindau.