August 10, 2020 at 5:00 PM - Special Work Session

Description:  Barsness, Christianson, Gugisberg, Holtberg, Meyer, Reichmann, Zavadil

Description:  Barsness, Christianson, Gugisberg, Holtberg, Meyer, Reichmann, Zavadil

Description:  Interim Superintendent Rick Ellingworth, the entire administrationtive team and department leaders will be in attendance to present an overview of proposed MAS "2020-2021 Return to School Plans".  

Planning throughout the District continues daily. Consequently, exhibits and documents are being revised or upgraded every day and the latest versions will be made available to board members at the workshop. Most of these exhibits will provide details of the proposed plans. It is good to remember we are emphasizing "flexible and nimble" as we approach our return to school and those two descriptors will be evident throughout the presentation.

August 4th and 5th our teaching staff conducted a "telephone survey" about returning to school. The survey was conducted with each of the families whose child(ren) are enrolled in MAS. Our teaching staff stepped up and did an amazing job!  We received a lot of information that has assisted us in planning. The survey results will be shared with you at the workshop.

The survey information helped us refocus our awareness to the difference each child enrolled in the district makes--both to our classes, programs and financially.  We have to be highly focused on maintaining or increasing the number of students enrolled in MAS--either in "on-site or distance learning".  A family that chooses to home school their children or enroll them in another public or private school (outside of MAS) creates implications that will cause us, as we move forward, to have to reduce programs and staffing. We must remain committed to "right-sizing" the district. Consequently, communicating with families the importance of working with us and keeping their children enrolled in the District keeps the Minnewaska family together and strong!

Throughout the presentation, administration encourages school board questions and discussion of the plans.  By the end of the workshop, we will be requesting school board approval to move forward on communicating the plan to our students, parents and the public as early as Tuesday, August 11 or as late as Tuesday, August 18.