Board Members:
I learned Monday afternoon that vaccination of employees will begin next week. We have partnered with Greenwood Pharmacy to delivery the inoculations right here on site. Before I leave the office today, I anticipate finding out how many doses we can expect to receive and which day we plan to deliver the shots. Nevertheless, I anticipate this will be a multi week evolution. Here is a copy of our weekly COVID update.
As you know, our district has joined the Schools Cannot Do It Alone Network. If you had an opportunity to watch the introductory video, you may remember that Jamie said he would periodically send short video messages created just for staff enjoyment. I am happy to forward the link to the first of these clips: https://player.vimeo.com/video/454546636
It was another busy week at the Capitol. The pace of new bills introduced hasn’t abated, with well over 100 new bills again this week alone. We finally saw bills dealing with supplemental state aid. The Senate file (SSB 1159) would provide for a 2.2% increase for SSA and categorical funding. It also has a supplement for schools that offered full-time in-person learning during the pandemic (a bit of a slap at those schools that went virtual). The subcommittee for this bill is scheduled for Monday at noon.
The House introduced their SSA bill on Thursday afternoon. HSB 183 provides for a 2.5% increase in SSA and categorical funding. It does NOT include a supplement for schools that offered 100% in-person option for students. We’re hearing that the House plans to introduce some supplemental appropriation at some other point in the session, but don’t know that for fact or what it might look like. Obviously the two chambers have some work to do before an agreement is reached. The statutory deadline for passing SSA is February 15, but there really isn’t any penalty in place if they don’t hit that target.
The House took up HF 228 diversity plans on the floor on Tuesday evening. It removes a school district’s ability to restrict open enrollment out for diversity purposes. It passed out of the House on a 56-32 vote and now goes to the Senate. The Senate omnibus bill that deals with vouchers, charter schools and a number of other topics also included prohibiting diversity plans. The House bill has been referred to the Senate but as of this time it has not been brought up in committee.
Unfortunately the other big news of the week was the snow and cancelled school! I was probably a bit too optimistic that we would be able to go today, but once I got out on the road it became pretty clear that was not going to happen! Now it gets cold!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the Super Bowl. I hope your team wins. Go Vikings!
Dr. Tony Voss, Superintendent
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