ISD 166 School Board focuses on transition and success marching forward

With Spring Break and the fourth marking period right around the corner, the March ISD 166 school board meeting was held last Thursday via Zoom. With over 20 community and school participants present, and all board members in attendance, plans and discussions for the remainder of the year and next year were the main agenda topics.

Leading the way was high school junior and student representative Olivia Nesgoda. Olivia gave her report, surveying around 90 students upon their return to in-person learning. Nesgoda found that her peers were comfortable with precautions put in place and were happy to be back while settling into their new schedule and the rhythm of their transition.

Northland Learning Center representative, Brian Yuretich gave a report as well. Cook County is one of nine member districts that the center provides comprehensive special education and alternative learning services for in northeastern Minnesota schools. Interim Superintendent Megan Myers gave a goals report noting the “current positive school climate and hallways filled with excitement” now that a large portion of the k-12 student body was back in the building. Myers said that preschool applications for next year would be accepted, MCA testing schedules were being organized, an English/LA curriculum search was underway and that summer school dates, teachers and lists would be available in April.

The school calendars for the next two school years (2021-22 and 2022-23) were also adopted during the meeting. An open campus lunch option was approved as well. This privilege, earned by set criteria laid out in the school handbook, would allow students in grades 10-12 to leave for lunch for the remainder of this school year. Assistant Principal and Activities Director Mitch Dorr gave a principal report establishing high school milestone dates for both prom (April 17) and graduation (May 29) following upcoming discussions on protocols and planning. Mr. Dorr also commended his teachers and students for a successful first week of school and gave kudos to athletic coaches and athletes, Kalina Dimitrova (Alpine Ski team) and Ariana Poyirier (Girls’ basketball team) for their achievements and success. The next ISD 166 school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 15.