REGIONAL- The ISD 2142 school board decided Tuesday to allow members of the public back into the board room for meetings, one of several agenda items connected in one manner or another to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Board Chairman Dan Manick first raised the possibility of reopening meetings to public attendance while also continuing to stream meetings virtually on Zoom during the board’s organization meeting earlier in the month. As discussion commenced on Tuesday the challenges of how to accommodate visitors in the room became apparent.
“Can we set an attendance limitation so that we know how many people can be in attendance, rather than worrying about all of a sudden that there’s one extra and we say let them enter or not?” board member Chris Koivisto asked. “It would be great if they can be face-to-face, but can we set an actual attendance level?”
After several minutes of considering attendance limitations, seating arrangements, stickers to mark social distancing requirements, and other logistics, it became clear that Manick intended something quite different and more restrictive than the open attendance scenario being discussed. Manick explained his desire to allow individuals to make public comments or presentations to the board individually and not stay for the whole meeting.
“I picture a podium in the corner up here as they enter,” Manick said. “They would state their piece and they’re done, and then the next person would come in. We wouldn’t be seating anybody.”
Koivisto indicated that he had received the message.
“I understand now that you’re talking about maybe they come in and speak and go back out and Zoom from their phone in the parking lot while they wait,” he said. “Either way, I’m sure we can create some sort of functionality for the system.”
Board members voted unanimously to move ahead with the process and to have more specific guidance developed for Manick’s proposal.
More COVID-related discussion came when Superintendent Reggie Engebritson gave her regular report and mentioned staff vaccinations.
“We have been part of the vaccine clinic that’s in Mt. Iron. Last week 14 staff members got vaccinated, and this week it’s 42. It’s been good.”
“Who gets vaccinated at the school?” board member Chet Larson asked.
Engebritson explained that teachers and paraprofessional in the district have to go to the pilot clinic in Mt. Iron for their shots as it’s the only clinic in the region designated to do vaccinations for school personnel and childcare workers. After discussing more procedural aspects, Engebritson shared thoughts about how having vaccines available has affected staff.
“I think it’s reduced anxiety – they’re very grateful,” Engebritson said. “They know that the goal is to stay in-person and that’s where we hope to stay.”
In other business, the board:
• Approved continued participation in the Q Comp teacher mentoring and development program after Koivisto received clarification that no district funds would be allocated to supplement funds from the state for the Dept. of Education program. Board members also agreed to revisit the approval process.
• Gave unanimous final approval to the shared services agreement with Mt. Iron-Buhl after minor changes were made to notification requirements related to renewals or dissolutions of the agreement.
• Officially hired and then terminated Dawn Niemi as Tower-Soudan Community Ed Coordinator. The effective date of Niemi’s hire was Dec. 19, a day after the resignation of former coordinator Amy Banks, and Niemi’s termination was effective on Thursday, Jan. 21. Contacted by the Timberjay, Engebritson confirmed that the termination was “for cause” but did not go into additional detail due to personnel confidentiality issues.
• Approved the special assignment of Gerald Oehler as dean at North Woods.
• Hired Christine Jarvis and Blake Scofield as part-time paraprofessionals at Tower-Soudan vand North Woods, respectively.
• Hired Cara Harksen and Drayke Snidarich as part-time preschool paraprofessionals at Tower-Soudan and North Woods, respectively.
Accepted resignations from North Woods girls basketball head coach Robbie Goggleye and Tower-Soudan paraprofessional Brandi Martin.