For MCSD and Class of 2020, closure ‘is a tough one’

     “Seniors, this is a tough one.”

     Monticello Community School District Superintendent Brian Jaeger offered that comment as part of his video message April 17, after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced that all school districts and nonpublic schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year due to the spread of COVID-19.

     “While I would like nothing more than to open up our schools and classrooms in May, we have to prioritize the health and safety of Iowans,” Gov. Reynolds said.

     The governor had previously ordered schools to be closed through April 30.

     The closure means all spring sports, as well as fine arts activities and concerts, have been cancelled. A decision on summer sports will be made by June 1, the governor said.

     Jaeger, both in the video and a separate interview, strove to answer the many questions arising from Gov. Reynolds’ announcement, pertaining to continuous learning, and the fate of special events such as Prom and Commencement.

     Districts will continue to use the continuous learning plans that were submitted to the Department of Education by April 10. Monticello is using the voluntary educational enrichment opportunities option, in which teachers are encouraged to provide students with learning opportunities, but students cannot be graded on them. This option does allow students to work on improving assessments and earn higher grades.

     The closure, Jaeger said in the video, “does not mean that we want your student to stop learning, and we will definitely not stop teaching.”

     As for Prom and Commencement, Jaeger said, “we’re going to meet (this) week and come up with some dates in July to host these activities in a traditional way.

     “We want to send off our seniors in the best way possible, and we would sure like to celebrate prom as we’ve always done,” he added. “I just don’t know if the world is going to allow us to do those two things this summer.”

     The district has sent out two surveys, one to juniors and seniors regarding Prom, and one to seniors only regarding Commencement, asking for ideas on how to conduct these events if the traditional ways are not feasible.

     “We want to try to brainstorm some ideas,” Jaeger said. “So please be creative. As soon as we know what our plan is going to be, we will make sure to share that with you.”

     Two other summer staples, driver’s education classes and Panther Academy, have not yet been decided upon.

     “At the end of May we’re going to make the decision,” Jaeger said.

     Jaeger also announced details for a technology and school supply pick-up day on Tuesday, April 21 (after this paper went to press).

     Those in need of routers in order to be able to access continuous learning opportunities online were able to pick those up that day. Elementary school students could also pick up items that were left in lockers and desks at Shannon and Carpenter. Those were bagged up last week and were waiting for the Tuesday pickup.

     Also available, at the middle school, were boxes of food, donated by HACAP, for pickup on Tuesday.

     School items left in the high school and middle school will have to wait, Jaeger said.

     “When it’s safe to go back, we will create a day when everyone at the middle school and high school can go in (to pick up their items),” Jaeger said.

     The superintendent concluded his video by expressing his pride about Monticello students, particularly the seniors.

     “Never in my 26-year career did I imagine that we’d be ending a school year this way,” he said. “Students, I’m so proud of you. You’re so resilient. Please continue for the remainder of the school year doing the best you can do.”

     As for the Class of 2020, Jaeger said, “You guys are special. If anybody can handle a situation like this, I believe it’s you.

     “If you can move forward and get over this giant hurdle, I know you’re going to be successful at everything that you do at life. We’re going to have celebrations yet this summer, and I know we’re all going to end this with a bang.”

School board special meeting

     The Monticello School Board held a special meeting April 15 to change its bid approval for 260 Lenovo 300e Chromebooks.

     The board had approved the bid of Firefly at its April 8 special meeting, at a cost of $57,980; but the district later learned the company wanted to raise its bid to $62,140 because of increased expenses. So the board changed its approval and voted instead for a bid from CDW of Vernon Hills, Ill. at a cost of $58,500.