Gulbranson retiring after 34 years with district

With a lot still at play in how the 2020-21 school year will come together, the Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education has had several opportunities to review plans for the district’s five-day-aweek approach to education with significant safety measures in place, while also offering a district-operated virtual option.

A special school board meeting is set for Monday Aug. 24 for a final runthrough.

Superintendent Barry Cain said the district – and all state schools – are still awaiting promised guidance from the state Department of Health Services that could impact the school year and extra-curricular activities. School districts did learn from the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association that fall sports can proceed, though there’s an opportunity to move football and volleyball to spring and season schedules will be adjusted to account for a four-season schedule.

“There’s a lot going on right now,” said Cain. “There’s a lot of movement in the area of sports.”

District residents have been surveyed on things like transportation to find out how many families are not going to have their children ride the bus to school so transportation routes can be adjusted to keep numbers down on buses as much as is possible.

“We’re making some adjustments with our bus numbers,” said Cain.

Overall, guidance can come from health agencies and the state, it’s up to the district and the board what the school year is going to look like.

“Who ultimately is going to make the decisions?” board member Gary Kressin asked.

“We’ve been told it’s the local districts,” answered Cain.

The district is working to make sure it’s fully staffed and hired four substitute teachers to have on staff for expected staff shortages expected as a result of COVID19.

“It’s going to be all hands on deck, there’s no doubt,” said Cain.

In the district personnel report, there were multiple hirings for the coming year. Notable in the retirement section was that middle school custodian Ken Gulbranson is retiring.

“We’ll miss Kenny. He’s retiring after 34 years with the district on Aug. 31,” said Cain.

New hires for the coming year include: Kate Ackere, high school health aide Madeline Bayer, elementary school long term sub Lorelei Caylor, high school/middle school English teacher Brieanna David, district wide 60 percent sub Tessa Figi, District wide 60 percent sub Amber Graetz, Panther Kids Club 4YK wrap-around staff Sarah Johnson, district wide 60 percent sub Tascha Kinney, Ellsworth Middle School special ed teacher Margareg Krasin, Ellsworth school teacher, long-term sub Dennis Olson, districtwide 60 percent sub Megan Pendar, elementary school teacher, long-term sub Brandt Peterson, high school science teacher, 50 percent Jenny Peterson, middle school health aide.

Resignations: Gary Pavloski, van driver and school psychologist Ana Preciado.

In addition to Gulbranson’s retirement, the retirement of bus driver Darrell Schuster was also approved.

School Board President Doug Peterson noted that some hires are graduates of Ellsworth School District, which he says a lot about the district.

“I always think that’s such a cool thing,” he said.

Photo by John McLoone.