NEW ULM — The District 88 School Board unanimously approved the district base learning model for the 2020-20201 school year Monday during a special board meeting.

The board adopted a plan calling for in-person learning for students grades K-6 and hybrid learning for students 7-12. The hybrid learning would include a combination of in-person and distance learning. The 7-12 grade students would attend in-person class based on an A and B schedule. The first two days of the week would be A schedule. The third and fourth day is B schedule days. The fifth day would serve as additional support and intervention for students in need. Distance learning is available for any family at anytime if they choose.

School staff were directed by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to develop three scenarios for the school year in preparation. On July 30, Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and MDE released guidelines for determining which model a school should follow. The guidelines are based on the number of COVID-19 cases per 10,000 over 14 days. If the cases are under 10 per 10,000 in a two week period, the school can open to learning for all students. At the time of planning, Brown County had 10 cases per 10,000 over 14 days. This placed the district into the model for in-person learning in elementary and hybrid for secondary students.

If positive COVID cases numbers in the county are kept down, students will remain in the buildings. The district has the potential to switch models based on the case count. The school could go back to an in-person for all if the positive cases remain down. The hybrid model was recommended because of the current case number, but also because it required the greatest amount of advance planning. Staff wanted the district prepared if cases remain at 10 per 10,0000.

For the hybrid learning, students would attend class on certain days based on the last name of the family. Families with A-K name are on the A schedule and families L-Z are on schedule B. If a family has students with multiple last names, the schedule is determined by the last name of the main contact in that family. The idea is to keep families coming to school on the same days to avoid split-ups.

MDE will have regional support teams for each school for help on certain issues. This team will help with contract tracing and notification for positive COVID cases in the building. The team would be available for medical support as well.

If 5% of the districts students and staff have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID, the building would be closed down. The regional support team could help prevent increases in cases.

Safety protocols for the school include masking requirements be implemented. This includes face shields, bandanas or scarfs. Other face covering policy will be discussed at the regular August board meeting. Some policy waivers will be implemented because of new health concerns. For instance, students will be able to take backpacks into the classroom to eliminate a locker visit.

Bertrang said the school does not want to be a barrier for education, but the reality is, with masks on everyone, virus transmission is low and the schools can stay open. Students who are adamant about not wearing a mask have the distance learning option available.

Parents will be asked to do a health screening of their child before they get on the bus or enter the building. An updated screening checklist will be submitted to parents before classes resume.

Student temperatures will not be taken before entering the school or bus. Parents are expected to take temperature as part of the screening.

“We’re going to be hypersensitive because we have to be,” Bertrang said.

The next regular school board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 27, in the District Offices Boardroom, 414 S. Payne St.

A study session to be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, at the District Offices conference room, 414 S. Payne St.