KM stays in hybrid learning as area schools adjust modes

As cases of COVID-19 increase throughout southern Minnesota, area school districts are faced with decisions as to their learning models.
Kasson-Mantorville’s School Board voted last week to continue with the hybrid learning model for grades 7-12 while lower grades meet in-person. Triton schools will move to an all distance learning model after the Thanksgiving break and Hayfield will continue with all students attending classes in person. Byron announced some adjustments to their previously announced distance learning model after Governor Tim Walz announced new restrictions last week.
KM’s Advisory Board met last Thursday morning and after hearing from school officials and Dodge County Public Health Director Amy Caron voted to recommend that the district continue the current learning model.
At the Thursday evening board meeting, Supt. Mark Matuska told board members that he was also recommending the district keep the current model.
Caron, who spoke through video conferencing, pointed out that as public health director she spoke from a public health perspective in discussing community spread. She added that she agreed that in person classes are always the ideal way to learn.
The general consensus was that the hybrid learning model is working well. A representative of the teacher’s union pointed out that teachers are feeling overwhelmed by teaching both in-person and distance learning classes and difficulties in getting substitute teachers.
Matuska agreed teachers and staff were working above and beyond expectations. Since a major concern of teachers was lack of preparation time, Matuska said he was also recommending several natural breaks in the calendar to help teachers in this area, a recommendation also supported by the teachers.
For November and December, Matuska said, he was recommending there be no classes for students on Nov. 30, the first day after the Thanksgiving break so teachers would have the entire day as prep time. He also recommended additional prep time be scheduled for Dec. 9 and the day before the Christmas break.
He said he would come before the board in December with recommendations for additional prep days in 2021.
The board agreed with those recommendations, voting to keep grades 7-12 on a hybrid learning schedule, other grades in-person learning and approving additional days for teacher prep time.
Two weeks ago, Byron Supt. Dr. Joey Page announced that grades K-12 would move to a distance learning model effective Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.
Last week Page notified families of several updates to the original plan.
Pre-K/ECSE students will continue to have in-person learning at the DACS Building and the Primary School starting Nov. 30, he said.
Because of Walz executive order putting restrictions on all organized youth and high school sports, all Minnesota State High School League fine arts and athletic programs in-season or projected to start in the next three weeks are on hold through Dec. 18.
The district also canceled all district facility activities and rentals through Dec. 18.
The Triton School District, which has been operating on a hybrid model for all grade levels for several weeks, will be moving to distance learning for all students, beginning Nov. 30, Supt. Craig Schlichting said this week.
Hayfield Community Schools will continue with in-person classes for all students, Supt. Gregg Slaathaug announced in a video to district residents this week. In the video he pointed out that Hayfield has had the least number of COVID-19 cases in the schools in the area.
Districts continue to monitor the situation in their communities, superintendents say, and residents can expect districts to move between the learning models over the course of the school year.