Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - 12:04 pm 

The Board of Education voted at its regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 24 to hold the Annual Meeting in-person.

The Annual Meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 21. The Board held a lengthy discussion about holding the meeting virtually. A Wisconsin Association of School Boards attorney indicated the safer option would be to hold an in-person meeting.     The Annual Meeting will most likely be held at Kromrey to accommodate residents who might attend. If the current Public Health Madison Dane County requirements are still in place, the District would make classrooms available to watch the meeting and vote with a proctor present.   

In other news from Monday's meeting:   * The Board asked the District to bring forward more information and a possible timeline for allowing certified staff who resigned recently or in the next few weeks to possibly have their resignation fee waived.   The certified handbook contains language requiring a breach of contract fee for teachers who resign after June 15. The Board was supportive of the idea of waiving the fee for a certified staff member who resigns due to COVID-19 but not if they  resign to take a position in a different district.

* The Board approved the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction contract for the 2020-21 school year. The contract must be approved annually.   * The Board approved the District Academic Standards for the 2020-21 school year.

* Board president Annette Ashley noted the School Board received a few letters from residents, who asked that they be read. She noted to be consistent with previous virtual meetings, they would not be read but would be posted on the District website's Community Announcements page.  

Katy Morgan noted she has heard from several families regarding the District's decision to use MCPASD curriculum for elementary students participating in the Fully Virtual instructional model. Ashley nominated Bob Green to run for the WASB District 12 open position.   Paul Kinne noted there are no updates from the legislative committee.   * As part of the Superintendent's report, Dana Monogue noted that the majority of staff will return for the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday. She also acknowledged staff who have been working throughout the summer to prepare for the school year.

Monogue shared that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services released information on health cleaning and virus cleaning protocols for schools last week. The District will follow the guidance to make buildings as safe as possible for staff and incorporate the guidance when students return to school buildings.   Public Health Madison Dane County released more information for school districts on Friday. The District will present a plan at the School Board meeting on Sept. 14 about how to bring back students at the elementary level. MCPASD hopes to have the School Board approve a hybrid plan on Sept. 28 meeting. She believes the earliest elementary students could to school buildings is Oct. 12.

The District is also finalizing a Reopening Plan document, which should be available to all stakeholders later this week.  

Monogue reminded the Board that winter sports are scheduled to begin practice the first week of November. The District will continue to collaborate with the WIAA, Big Eight Conference and area health officials about how to do practice and play games safely.

Board members asked if it might be possible to get a tour of the completed facilities at Pope Farm and Park in the coming weeks. Monogue noted the District will set something up.