Superintendent Update 10/5/2020
As predicted, our numbers have gone up significantly in Stearns County last week. The Stearns county number jumped to 25.83. As discussed last week, we use the Stearns County number as a primary factor in determining what learning model we are in and our district number as a secondary factor to look at trends within our district. Another factor taken into account is the number of outbreaks we have in our school. Last week we did not see any new cases in our schools. Stearns County Public Health is recommending 3 weeks of data points before making a decision to go to a different model. This first week of 25.83 will be the first of three data points we will monitor before switching to a different model. Even though as you can see from the chart below we are in the hybrid model in both the elementary and secondary we will stay in Policy Option 2 for the coming week(s). Switching to hybrid in elementary does not bring a significant change other than pulling a few students out of classrooms that may be over the fire code for Policy Option 2 that would be needed if we did go to a true hybrid model in the elementary.
We do expect the number to increase possibly into the 30’s next week. This would be the 2nd of 3 weeks of data points to consider. It is our hope this number will stabilize and start to go down. Even though we may go above 30, we will continue to plan on being in Policy Option 2 of the matrix for the following week. However, if we start to see some significant outbreaks in our buildings, we may have to go to distance learning.
One other quick issue to message out to the community is the possibility of a School Resource Officer (SRO) being added to our staff here in Melrose Area Public Schools. This is part of a grant the Stearns County Sheriff’s department received last year. The purpose of the grant is not because there is a need for law enforcement in our district. It’s primary purpose is to develop positive relationships between students and law enforcement.
We continue to ask you as a weekly reminder that you please monitor your child(ren)’s health before you send them off to school. It has been those vigilant parents that have held their children at home while they were sick and got tested that has allowed us to keep school going. Also, make sure to wash their masks on a weekly basis to keep them clean.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact me or any of the building principals.
Greg Winter, Superintendent: gwinter@isd740.org
Chad Doetkott, High School Principal cdoetkott@isd740.org
Robert Anderson, Middle School Principal randerson@isd740.org
Terryl Pearson, Elementary School Principal tpearson@isd740.org