NEW ULM — The New Ulm Public Schools’ Board of Education once again received feedback and commentary from the public during the non-action items.

The first speaker was Carol Ackerson who commended the board for their recent community survey and work towards creating equity education.

“I don’t claim to speak for the community, but I do know the parents of this district send us the very best and I also know there are transgender students who want to be respected and valued for the people they are,” Ackerson said. “I think we have an opportunity to provide them with an atmosphere that values them.”

Ackerson believed inclusion and equity are terms to be embraced and not rejected. She also defended the school history curriculum and school library.

“If anyone is concerned about how history is taught or the books in the library, don’t be,” Ackerson said. “There has been the policy in place for years that allow for challenges and parents always can make choices.”

The board next heard from Mary and Mike Thom who broached concerns about the 3rd draft of the standards and benchmarks for the Minnesota Department of Education.

Mary Thom said past curriculum standards taught the values and blessing of the United States, that the nation was founded on laudable goals. She believed the recent draft of the social studies standard being considered by MDE denigrates America.

“This approach shapes future Americans into unhappy discontented activists who are not motivated in a positive way to improve what needs fixing,” she said. “They are rather shamed or made to feel victimized.”

She asked the school board to state whether they will support the goals MDE standards.

Mike Thom also spoke on the 3rd draft of the standards and benchmarks for the Minnesota Department of Education. He said the fact that this standard was on a third draft indicated the level of controversy.

“The reason social studies standards are so important is that they guide and direct the story of American being told to our children,” Mike Thom said. “Do we want them to think this is a good and wonderful place where we have inherited a lot of great institutions?”

Thom admitted it was impossible to teach all of history and it was a selective process. He wanted a standard that selected information that led to America’s high standard but felt the current draft from MDE was created by people who think America is flawed and needs to be remade.

He asked the board to read through the draft and construct a fence around the standards to preserve a good view of America.

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In the Superintendent report, Supt. Jeff Bertrang informed the board a transition plan is in place for the Jefferson administration. Jon Schawegerl will complete his term on Jan. 28 as building principal. Denise Einck will move from assistant principal to interim building principal.

Paul Henn will split his time on district needs and support Jefferson as the assistant principal. Bertrang plans to work with Denise on budgets, staffing and program planning for next year.

Bertrang has met with teacher representatives to discuss the substitute issues the school is experiencing for teachers and para-professionals. The school is seeking methods of finding substitutes.

Later in the meeting, the board approved a Principals’ Master Agreement for 2021-2023. The agreement will include salary increases for each year. The salary schedule was modified to be more in line with the amount and value of work done. There was also an adjustment for vacations.

Bertrang said everyone is struggling to find staff. Some staff is out due to COVID, but substitutes are also needed to fill in for other reasons; including maternity leave.

The school continues to monitor COVID data. The school did see a spike in cases after winter break, but this was expected. Case numbers have recently started to decline. The school continues to offer testing and consultation for staff and parents.

Staff is working through the data for the recent empathy interviews and community belonging survey. Over 900 people completed the survey and 20 empathy interviews were conducted. A presentation will be given during the Feb. 10 school board work session.

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Student board members Anne Howard and Brenna Thordson took the oath of office. This was the first School Board meeting with the new student board members. Howard and Thordson both gave reports on student activities.

Howard said finales were held coming back from Christmas break, but because of COVID, the finales deadlines were extended. For this reason, grade postings were push-backed. This impacts students hoping to submit updated college transcripts.

Thordson provided an update on academic and athletic updates. Durning, a Knowledge Bowl competition last weekend New Ulm had teams place first and third out of 28 teams. The one-act play competition will begin this weekend in Madelia.

New Ulm girls hockey ranked eighth in the state with an 18-3 record and the boys’ hockey is currently undefeated in conference and 14-5 overall.

Boy basketball was 8-4 at the time of the meeting. The girls’ basketball team was struggling with the COVID outbreak. Thordson said many are now getting back into games.

Eagles gymnastic was able to go to true team state last week. It is the first time the school has attended in 15 years and placed 8th overall.