NEW ULM — During the District 88 School Board meeting, Superintendent Jeff Bertrang gave an overview of the potential plans for restarting school in the fall. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has three plans to consider.

The three options need to be considered by all schools because the status of COVID-19 this fall is unknown. The first option is to have back in-school face-to-face instruction. Option two is a hybrid option with some face-to-face instruction and some doing distance learning. Option three is a return to the total distance learning option.

MDE will put out a recommendation for a start option the week of July 27.

Bertrang said depending on the Department of Health and the status of Minnesota, the starting option could be based on a regional decision, a district decision, or a statewide decision.

Staff is working on collecting data, including parent and employee surveys, to better make a decision. New Ulm Bus Line is also collecting data how many drivers and buses will be available. Some drivers are at risk due to age and underlying conditions. The hybrid option only allows 50% capacity on a bus, which changes the routes.

“Our focus is to put together templates for all three [options],” Bertrang said. But there will not be a complete plan until more information is released by the Department of Health.

In the event the school opens with traditional face-to-face instruction in the fall, the district is still planning to make accommodations for students and staff who have underlying health concerns that prevent them from returning.

Bertrang is doing the analysis now on which staff and students can’t return. The staff unable to return to the building could be the learning deliverers for the students unable to return.

“It’s not the normal summer,” Bertrang said. “It won’t be a normal fall. We just want to make sure people know we are taking care of family and students. That’s our priority. We will walk into this one with a common-sense approach.

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The board approved the Brown County family facilitators’ contract. The contract is the same as in previous years. Fifty percent of the cost is picked up by the county and the remainder by the school district. Two full-time social workers are part of the contract. The total cost is $19,728.

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Tuesday, July 28, through Tuesday, August 11, is filing dates for the District 88 School Board. This year there are four seats open on the school board.

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The school board will hold a study session at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the district conference room and through teleconference. The next regular school board meeting will be 6 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at the District Boardroom and through teleconference.