During extraordinary times, government bodies need to do extraordinary things.

Faced with challenges related to operating a school during a pandemic, the Ellsworth School Board last Monday night put some parameters in place, necessary if staff cutbacks are required in a situation where schools are forced to close because of COVID-19.

The board reiterated its statement from its last meeting that everything was going to be done to make sure staff stays on the payroll – as it did when learning went virtual in the spring – but when forced to choose between furloughing workers or laying them off, furlough was the chosen method.

Several teachers at the meeting voiced to the board the importance of support staff during virtual learning and asked the board to make sure that is kept in mind.

Information presented to the board states that if a furlough is necessary, workers remain active employees and are expected to return to work at some point. The furlough is “usually for a specific timeframe, though six months or less is typical. After six months or when the length is indefinite most will move to layoffs.”

Furloughed employees are eligible for unemployment and remain active on health and dental plans “but have to directly pay the school district their amount of the premium.”

An important point is that “furloughed employees are not allowed to do any work on behalf of their employer.”

Email access would be removed, and they would lose keycard access to buildings and have to give back resources, such as computers.

The info provided to the board states that monthly district expenses for 45 support staff members are about $112,000 for health, life, dental and disability insurance. Support staff wage per month is about $320,000 for labor and payroll taxes.

In the layoff scenario, there would be no expectation for return to work and the worker would be responsible for all benefits. If they return to work, the hiring process would need to start anew with the application process.

After discussion, the board ultimately decided that if it’s necessary to cut staff, the furlough option would be the way it would go, and the matter would appear before the school board at a special meeting with three days of public notice.

“I like the idea of three days, one’s two short, event two,” said board member Susan Beck.

Superintendent Barry Cain said the furlough would definitely be a worst-case scenario but needs to be an option available to the district.

Board president Doug Peterson said, “Let’s hope we don’t have to do this. It’s a whole new world for schools.”

Later in the meeting, during the public comment period, Ellsworth Elementary teacher Jill Rosenberry voiced her support of support staff and how critical they are, especially during virtual learning.

“I want to make clear to everybody, a teaching assistant really is a teaching assistant,” she said. “They’re on the ground. They’re teaching. Our kids need that.”

She said if the district is forced into a shutdown situation, “It’s important to look at who will be furloughed and who won’t. It’s really difficult to find support staff. It’s a calling.”

Kari Jennings agreed.

“They can’t afford not to be paid,” she said. “We will lose a lot of our great staff. That’s bad for our kids. That’s horrible.”

Jennings said that teaching all kids online without support is unrealistic.

“They know the kids. They know the curriculum,” she said. “We can’t afford another slide like we had last spring.”

Classroom amplification

The board voted to spend $108,312.62 on amplification systems. Many classrooms already have new systems, but the district is investing in new equipment for 71 classrooms because of teaching in classrooms, where masks are required and desks are distanced apart.

“Teachers are having to yell louder. Kids are having a hard time hearing,” said Cain.

Installation of the systems will take place in early to mid-October, said Cain.

Start of the school year

Cain said that, all things considered, the start of the school year has gone well.

There were two positive COVID-19 cases in high school students that led to 22 students being out in quarantine and virtual learning.

He said that families and students have adapted well to the new learning environment.

“Masking is going well,” he said.

He indicated that he’s heard that it’s unlikely that the order to wear masks from Gov. Tony Evers will be extended past Sept. 28. However, the district will continue its current model and require masks and restrict visitors.

“The vast majority of our families have been very understanding,” Cain said.

He said that the program providing free breakfast and lunch to students has been extended until Dec. 31.

The school enrollment count is as follows: High school 499 students with 80 learning virtually.

Middle school 419, with 56 virtual.

Elementary 726 with 91 virtual.

The district had projected that there would be 10 percent virtual learners going into the year.

“We’re at 13-14 percent online. We did see an uptick at the high school when we had the two cases,” said Cain.

Photo by John McLoone.