School board updates COVID plan

The Hill City School Board voted to approve updates to the school district’s COVID plan at the most recent school board meeting.

The plan comes on the heels of the district preparing for the second half of the year.

“I think it’s diligent of us to update it as COVID evolves,” said district superintendent Blake Gardner. “There have been no changes in phase one procedures, which are enacted when there are no or limited cases of COVID in school buildings. If numbers increase to roughly six to seven percent of the building population the district may change to level 2.”

Gardner cautioned though that, “Circumstances will determine the phase more than the percentage.”

School would still be in session but personal protective gear such as masks and room dividers would be utilized if students and staff could not maintain six feet social distancing. Phase three would mean the district is seeing 10 to 12 percent of on campus cases. In this case the district would work with the South Dakota Department of Health to determine a plan.

So far the “ school’s rate of transmission is very low,” Gardner said, saying he did not know why that was the case.

At the time of the meeting on Dec. 14, there was one active case on campus.

“It can change in a hurry,” Gardner said. “The rate of transmission in school boundaries seems very low” with most cases being spread from family members to students versus student to student.

High school and middle school principal Todd Satter expressed his appreciation to Gardner and the board for opening up schools to in person instruction.

“I’d really like to thank everybody in this room for doing what we’ve done,” he said. “We’ve had our kids in school almost every day, and I’m elated we’re here.”

Satter also noted several families from states where in person instruction is not taking place have been touring the district’s schools.

The school board has once again achieved gold status, the highest level, from the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. This is the second year in a row the board has achieved this honor.

The superintendent’s good news honored the high school volleyball team for representing the community in the state tournament. This year was the first time in school history the team has qualified.

With more good news, Gardner congratulated five elementary students whose ornaments were selected to adorn the National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C. Hill City was chosen to represent the state of South Dakota for this privilege.

The district is looking into the possibility of adding air conditioning to the elementary school. According to maintenance director Jeff Anderson five companies are interested in the project.

Live streaming for district sporting events on YouTube is now available and reliable, according to activities director Wade Ginsbach. Ginsbach also noted the wrestling schedule will be a “constant work in shuffling” due to COVID and that the Black Hills Classic will still be taking place.

The most recent Northwest Education Association (NWEA) testing data from the elementary schools was positive despite closing schools abruptly in March due to COVID.

“If we had any trouble educating our students it doesn’t show it,” said elementary school principal Samantha Weaver.

The NWEA is administered three times a year and assesses areas of need and growth in reading, math and language arts.

The Delta Dental van will be on campus Jan. 11. Forms will be sent home to be filled out and Delta Dental will coordinate scheduling. Board members discussed their appreciation for this service.

“Our community is active in getting it here and paying for it, “ said board member Angie Ross.

The board approved the delay of the 2021 accreditation review. The district was scheduled for review in February. An executive order from Gov. Kristi Noem allows districts to suspend the review for one year.

While there are “no advantages or disadvantages” to this it would take “some of the burden off us for this spring,” said Gardner. The process does require some staff to be out of the building so it “makes sense to delay it.”

The board approved the resignation of paraprofessional Susan McDaniel. The district wants to “have the right person” fill the vacancy and may need to “plug some holes” until that happens.

A facility use agreement for the 2021 Kris Kringle Craft show was approved by the board. The agreement is for the Friday and Saturday of the 2021 Thanksgiving break.

The next meeting of the Hill City School Board takes place Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.