Cadott School Board; Annual goals set as reach for long-term improvements
By Julia Wolf
The Cadott School District’s first steps moving forward to meet long-term goals were set, after the school board approved the annual scorecard, during a regular meeting Oct. 11.
“One of the things we’ve done, is just sort of changed the format partially, so that we always see that five-year goal,” said Jenny Starck, district administrator.
The annual plan is based on the goals of the five-year strategic plan, with the goals building year-over-year, to help the district improve in the desired areas, by 2026.
The annual plan tells what the yearly goals are, the specific actions the district will take to try to meet those goals and the times when reporting out on the progress for each goal will occur.
Board member Cory LaNou asked if there is a way to summarize, by month, which goals they can expect to hear back on, so they don’t miss taking steps to stay on track. Starck says they can work to find a format to show progress as they go.
With that in mind, the board approved the annual plan.
The library plan was also approved, with no changes since it was last discussed at the most recent Committee of the Whole meeting.
At the committee meeting, Starck said she added language to the plan that the new materials for the libraries will be shared with the board and the community, likely in a list format, as well as telling parents and guardians how they can access their student’s account.
“If you struggle with a book, go start the process,” said Al Sonnentag, board president, of the reconsideration policy for library materials. “That’s what it’s there for.”
Sonnentag says he knows it is not a perfect situation, because there is no possible way to read all the new additions from cover to cover and that the library media specialist is doing the best he can, with the time he has.
The COVID-19 tiered protocol plan was also approved. LaNou asked if any changes were made to differentiate actions for safety vs. those taken for low attendance, to help the teachers keep up with student needs.
Starck says she moved sanitizing between classes to Level 2 and included a disclaimer at the bottom that staff shortages could lead to virtual instruction.
LaNou asked if there is a way for teachers to let the administration know that they have a lot of students out and need extra help. Starck says they can connect with the building principal.
Becca Blanchette, board member, suggested the administration reach out to check in and see if teachers need help, when they notice a certain number of students in that class are absent. She says she knows the teachers are hard-working and may be hesitant to reach out, because they know everyone is struggling.
“That we could also easily do,” said Starck.
The board also approved the social media communication plan.
A Fishing Club was also approved, following discussion at the previous committee meeting. Blanchette asked what the guidelines are for safety around students and vehicles going onto the ice to fish. Starck says there are some guidelines and they can also borrow from other schools involved.
“I realize some people have different levels of tolerance and aggressiveness, when it comes to ice fishing,” said Starck. “And we would be on the conservative part of that.”
An increase to the support staff substitute rate was also approved, bringing the hourly rate to $15.50 per hour. Starck explained the rate applies to any hourly staff substitutes, such as custodians and paraprofessionals.
Members also approved the hire of Allie Webster, junior high girls basketball coach; and April Mathison, junior high girls track coach.
As a notice to the public, the annual meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., in the high school auditorium.
In the information portion of the meeting, the board heard student counts for summer school and the September student count, as well as hearing how the junior and senior high school is using Kagan instructional structures to improve student engagement, and learning in the classroom.
