Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - 9:49 am
Superintendent Dana Monogue and other District administrators provided an analysis of the two blended models being implemented in some Dane County districts at the Board of Education regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 9.
Board president Annette Ashley presided over the meeting at the District Services Center, while other Board members participated remotely. The School Board has been meeting virtually since mid-March.
Monogue noted that six districts currently use a half-day model, while three either use or planning to use once they bring students back a 2-1-2 model. In the half-day model, all students who come back to school attend up to four days a week for 2-3 hours in the morning or afternoon. In the 2-1-2 model, students are assigned to one of two cohorts and attend for full days either on Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday.
Monogue said districts using a half-day model are having students work on math, reading, and literacy in school buildings with everything else online. In a 2-1-2 model, area districts are having students learn more than just math, literacy, and reading. They also are more likely to have recess and eat lunch at school.
She reviewed what factors are being considered in evaluating each model, noting that bus transportation would be easier in a 2-1-2 model because of the tiered approach. District officials also are concerned they might not be able to continue with the meal distribution program in the half-day model because buses would be transporting children to and from school in the middle of the day, forcing families to pick up meals at schools. She also reviewed the impact of each model on staff.
More students would be in buildings in the half-day model, which would mean more cleaning would need to take place throughout the school day. The District could move secondary custodial staff to elementary schools for now, but that would be problematic if those students return to buildings.
Monogue also discussed the impact on the Two-Way Immersion program at Sauk Trail. She noted most families have selected the universal model. The District believes live streaming would be challenging in a 2-1-2 model and that students could receive in-person instruction in English and Spanish in a half-day model.
She reminded the School Board if decide to have students return to school buildings, elementary families will have the option of moving their students from one instructional model to the other. If a decision is made to have live streaming of classrooms, families could also remain in the universal model but not have their children attend in person.
The District's preference would be to develop one model for elementary and secondary levels and Monogue noted administration believes the 2-1-2 model makes more sense at the secondary level.
Among the benefits of a half-day model are consistent contact with teachers, in school four days a week, cuts down on unstructured time, and young students don't have to wear masks as long. Negatives include less academic contact, it might be difficult to find day care, bus schedules are problematic, and cleaning protocols problematic as older students return to school buildings.
Among the benefits of a 2-1-2 model are more subjects being taught in-person, easier to secure day care for full days, bus schedules are easier, and food delivery could continue. Negatives include students only coming to buildings twice a week, and any recess would create logistical challenges.
Board members spent more than 30 minutes asking questions and offering ideas. They wondered if reducing exposure by having fewer chances for students to take off masks is important. There was lots of concern about staff and if they are being asking to do too much.
Members also wondered if districts already back in-person have lost staff due to stress or concerns about the pandemic. Monogue and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Lori Ames noted Dane County districts haven't seen a significant reduction in staff, although districts are reporting more staff are taking leave.
Members also had questions about how live streaming would work, would families be able to make a second instructional model change if they don't like the model or if the District isn't able to keep them with their same teacher and-or classmates, and if one model provides more support for students.
Monogue indicated administration will bring forward a recommendation about which model should be implemented if students return to school buildings at the meeting on Nov. 16. She also reminded the Board a matrix was developed in the summer to evaluate all potential blended models.