NEW ULM — The New Ulm School Board received an update on distance learning during a study session Thursday. The update included information on senior graduation plans.

High School Principal Mark Bergman said he has worked out a plan with the Student Council. Initially, the students wanted to hold graduation on the football field but this idea has been prohibited by the Gov. Tim Walz, forcing the school to conduct a virtual graduation.

“There are a lot of details and a tremendous amount of time going into it to make it the best possible virtual plan we can,” Bergman said. The full details of the plan will be released to seniors and families on Tuesday.

One of the difficulties of planning the graduation is many families favor the St. Peter and Mankato model that allowed seniors to walk across a stage to get a diploma.

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said legally the students cannot be allowed in the school for this purpose and it would open up the schools to significant liability. Schools that have allowed this are going against state orders.

Bergman said he anguished over this decision, because he wants to do what is best for the students. But holding a graduation ceremony on the football field or even allowing students to simply walk across the stage without an audience would be breaking state regulations.

“It makes it difficult on us when Mankato or St. Peter do break the rules,” he said.

Bergman added that he believes the virtual graduation ceremony being planned would be even better than the virtual award ceremony the school held this week.

Bertrang reminded the board Bergman met with the Student Council leadership and the council agreed to this plan. He said the ceremony is ultimately for the students.

Bergman said the school remains committed to the learning process as it concludes the final month under the new distant learning model. Friday, he and counselors will review students’ grades for this year and compare them with previous years to determine the quality of work being done.

Bergman said he believes strongly that 90% of students will earn the same grade they would have under the traditional on-site learning model. Some are even doing better under distant learning. That does leave 10% who are during poorer under distance learning. The school is working on alternative plans to help these students.

Bergman estimated there are between seven and ten seniors who are not on track for graduation, but not all of this is related to distance learning.

“Our counselors are in constant communication with the families about what to do next,” he said. Seniors unable to catch up on distant learning will be offered summer school. It is unknown if summer school will be offered as distance learning or if an on-site component will be allowed. Bergman said a hybrid method could be available.

“We’re in constant communication with parents with children who are struggling,” he said.

Most students will have the same grading method, but some have chosen to adopt a pass/fail course. There will be no grade point average penalty for the pass/fail.

The school will hold a curbside collection of school materials on June 5, June 8, June 9 and June 10. Students who will continue to summer school will turn in books and material but will keep Chromebooks for summer courses.

The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28. The meeting will be held in the district offices boardroom and virtually via Google Meets.