NEW ULM — A couple dozen people attended an emergency District 88 Board of Education meeting in the New Ulm Middle School gym Sunday afternoon to hear a summary of initial school planning for the coming days and weeks.

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said he participated in a conference call with Gov. Walz Sunday morning and learned that schools will be closed Wednesday, March 27 through Friday, March 27 to allow schools to plan for distance learning for all students.

Staff are to report to school March 16-27. All hourly staff are to be paid and assist with planning details.

Plans are to resume instruction no later than Monday, March 30. The intent is that schools have distance learning plans completed and information to parents and students by that date.

Bertrang said parents have been advised that they can keep their student home on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 if they feel it necessary.

He said building principals were put on notice last week to draft alternate educational plans in case of school closure. Next steps are to work with building staff on learning options and expectations.

Bertrang said the Dist. 88 Leadership Team will meet Monday, March 16 to design plans for staff and students as part of the transition to Wednesday, March 18. He said initial planning is happening.

Other things that are known are that schools will:

• Consider ways to provide meals for those in greatest need.

• Work with community partners on daycare options with priority to health care providers and first responders.

• Plan for students most vulnerable and needing additional resources.

Initial Dist. 88 planning includes:

• Distance learning for each building and grade level.

• Classified staff work plans.

• Food service plans.

• Transportation planning.

• Daycare options/locations.

• Medical and mental health needs of students.

• Facility monitoring and cleaning.

• Community Partner plans.

• Communications with parents, staff and communities.

• Student attendance accountability.

• Delivery of education to those most at risk.

Bertrang urged everyone to proceed in a calm, purposeful manner. Having school on Monday and Tuesday (March 16, 17) will allow time to plan for students to transition to home for the time away from school.

This includes getting instructional materials in advance, getting materials from lockers, prescription medications to parents and teachers to work with their students before the closure. The time will also allow to plan for daycare options and draft food service plans to feed the most vulnerable before Wednesday.

“This is unprecedented. Flexibility, understanding, and patience are keys to success. We will work together as a partner with our communities,” Bertrang said.

He urged people with questions to visit the Minnesota Department of Health website www.health.state.mn.us and the school district website newulm.k12.mn.us.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.