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Board approves 2025–26 weather-related e-learning plan; administrators outline device and paper contingencies
Summary
The St. Cloud Area School District board approved an inclement-weather plan that starts with one closure day, followed by up to five e-learning days, then two additional days; administration described device deployment, grade-specific expectations and paper backups for students without device access.
The St. Cloud Area School District 742 Board of Education unanimously approved the district's weather-related e-learning plan for the 2025–26 school year after a presentation by Nikki Hansen, assistant superintendent of e5 Learning.
Hansen described a "1-5-2" model: the first inclement-weather day would be a school closure; the next five would be e-learning days; and two additional days would be held in reserve. Any days beyond that would be makeup days determined by Superintendent Dr. Lori Putnam in consultation with the board. The model matches the approach the district used the prior year.
Hansen outlined grade-level expectations. Pre-K through grade 2 will be assigned pre-prepared learning activities. Grades 3–5 will have activities posted through Seesaw by 9 a.m., and grades 6–12 will have Schoology activities posted by 10 a.m. Staff expectations vary by contract and employment status: 10‑month support staff who cannot perform work at home will receive full pay; 12‑month staff may report if safe or work from home with supervisor approval. Part‑time teachers will be available during regularly scheduled duty hours.
Board member Al Dahlgren raised concerns about device availability and scenarios that could force a switch from e-learning to snow days (for example, when students did not bring Chromebooks home). Hansen said the district communicates in advance and prepares take-home packets each fall so families have paper backups; extra copies are kept on site for quick distribution. She said the district aims to send devices home early when weather is anticipated and noted that pre-assigned packets are posted to the district website.
Motion and vote: "Approve the 2025–26 weather-related e-learning days plan" — moved by Al Dahlgren, seconded by Natalie Copeland. Vote: Zach Dorholt (yes); Scott Andresen (yes); Heather Weems (yes); Natalie Copeland (yes); Shannon Hawes (yes); Al Dahlgren (yes); Diana Fenton (yes). Outcome: approved.
