Scholarship opportunities for Clearbrook-Gonvick students

Admissions staff members from the University of Minnesota-Crookston described a special scholarship opportunity for local students at the Clearbrook-Gonvick February 16th school board meeting. Jessie Hanson, Brandy Chaffee, Amberly Cox, and Kayla Pehlen gave a presentation on a scholarship worth up to $12,000 per year. This scholarship has been made available by donors with roots in the Clearbrook and Grygla areas. Students from Clearbrook-Gonvick, Grygla, and Euclid may apply for the scholarship. Interested students must be graduating from high school in 2021. They must apply and be accepted to the University of Minnesota at Crookston. In addition, they will need to complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA. The scholarship presentation included examples of the impact of the scholarship on financial aid packages a student might receive. In each case, the scholarship would provide the student the opportunity to attend college with tuition and fees covered. The Crookston representatives provided the school with contact information for any student who is interested in applying for this scholarship.

The Agriculture Communications class prepared the Spotlight on Education slide show presented by teacher Kim Anderson. Students and staff are happy to be back to in-person learning at school. “Caught Being Good” is a new program in the elementary classes. Teachers nominate students who demonstrate positive behaviors. These students’ names are entered into a monthly drawing for a chance to win prizes. Work-study students are gaining experience in the Early Childhood classrooms. Baking brownies is one of the fun ways students are learning in the Math Corps program.

Student enrollment is up slightly, according to Principal Carl Dugstad, with 213 high school and 210 elementary school students. More students are also choosing to move from optional distance learning to in-school classes. Plans are being made for a fun but safe Snow Week/FFA Week under the direction of teachers James Bettin and Kim Anderson. The safety committee has given preliminary approval for a modified prom event. Dugstad reported that the district’s NWEA test scores took a dip, but he expects the state’s scores will see a larger dip, since Clearbrook-Gonvick students have had more time in school than many Minnesota students. Programs to mitigate learning loss due to the COVID pandemic are in the early planning stages. These might include credit recovery plans for high school students and summer learning opportunities for the younger grades. 

Superintendent Jeff Burgess told board members that the safety committee met and does not recommend changes to the learning model of in-school classes for all students.

Burgess explained that the state’s new social studies standards are in the first draft. Burgess anticipates changes to these as the development process moves forward. 

School administrators are waiting for more detailed information on the new ESSER funds. These can be spent on technology, learning recovery, and ventilation, but Burgess hopes for more specific direction on how these funds can be spent. Burgess also reported that the district has received increased Impact Aid for this year. They expected $70,000 but will receive an additional $90,000. The increase is due to a change in the school’s classification at the federal level. Burgess anticipates that $90,000 will also be received for the prior year.

Burgess shared that there are many issues being covered at the state that will impact education. Legislation is currently in the works for streamlining the process for districts to create e-learning systems. The Due North Education Plan is in the early stages of negotiation, so it is too soon to know the impacts of this on school programs or budgets.

Two of the school’s three water heaters are not working. Superintendent Burgess shared a $37,000 quote for a system like the one currently used at the school. A quote was also received for a hybrid tankless water heating system. Burgess will get more quotes and investigate the possibility of receiving rebates for the water heater purchases. Burgess also shared that the head custodian has prepared a list of long-term needs that will need to be addressed in the next five to ten years.

Superintendent Burgess presented two calendars for the 2021-2022 school year. One calendar includes traditional snow days. The other does not have snow days but would use e-learning days if school was cancelled due to weather. If the school adopts the e-learning calendar, a plan for the e-learning would need to be in place and students would need to have necessary materials for learning from home. The e-learning system could be tested on a half-day during conferences. The staff members have been surveyed for input as the calendar is being developed.

The board members approved the purchase of 30 more iPads. The addition of this technology will allow all kindergarten through third grade students to have their own iPad for use in the classroom, with ten extra iPads for district use. The board also okayed the district’s plan to purchase new computers for teachers, replacing some that are around ten years old. ESSER funding will be used to purchase the new technology equipment.

A memorandum of understanding for pandemic leave with the MSEA was approved. Superintendent Burgess explained that this was similar to the agreement made with teaching staff.

Several staff changes were addressed during the meeting. Linda Brown has been hired as the distance coordinator, a new position for the district. She will work with students in grades K-12 who have elected to learn from home this year. Her job will involve calling students and contacting parents to help these students succeed as distance learners. Janelle Maxie was hired as an additional cook to help with the extra meals the district is providing this year. Teresa Smith was hired as a paraprofessional in the DCD classroom.

The board members accepted the resignation of Kyle Christianson from the Athletic Director position. Mr. Burgess expressed his appreciation for Christianson’s time and effort in planning for student sports activities. Kim Anderson’s resignation was also accepted. Burgess thanked her for her work, especially for the different experiences she has offered kids in the district.