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Arvon Township School Board votes to offer in-person classes Feb. 23; addresses bussing delay
Summary
The Arvon Township School Board voted to offer an in-person learning option beginning Feb. 23, 2021, appointed a reopening committee and instructed staff to send families a letter outlining options; the board also discussed a bussing delay after carrier Lamers reported no available driver.
The Arvon Township School Board voted on Jan. 12 to offer an in-person learning option beginning Feb. 23, 2021, while continuing two-way interactive distance learning through January. President Heather Stiebe called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. via Zoom and the board approved routine business before debating the reopening timeline.
Principal Lori Johnson reported that students will take math and reading tests and that the marking period ends Jan. 25. Business Manager Diane Paulsen reviewed monthly financial statements, reporting total liabilities and equity of $428,712.56; the board accepted the monthly statement and authorized payment of bills. The board also approved the revised 2020–2021 budget.
After hearing questions from Zoom visitors about when face-to-face instruction and junior/senior high bussing would resume, the board discussed logistics and state guidance. Paulsen noted the district would continue distance learning through January. The board decided not to send a family survey and instead to send a letter explaining learning options for families: in-classroom instruction or at-home learning.
On a motion made by Mary Deline and seconded by Natalie Wahmhoff, the board voted to offer an in-person learning option beginning Feb. 23, 2021. The motion carried with ayes from Linda Griffith, Natalie Wahmhoff and Mary Deline; Nancy Soli abstained and President Heather Stiebe voted no.
Board members addressed bussing: Paulsen reported that Lamers, the contracted carrier, did not begin transporting students on Jan. 4 as agreed in the Dec. 30 memorandum of understanding because the company lacked a bus driver. Paulsen said Lamers indicated it was seeking a driver; the board had not yet received bills from the company under the agreed amounts. President Stiebe said she will contact the company to resolve the issue.
The board appointed Linda Griffith, Natalie Wahmhoff and Mary Deline to a committee to establish and coordinate the school reopening process. The minutes also note a $250 donation to the district scholarship fund earmarked for textbooks, with a second $250 expected; the board voted to transfer the Arvon Township School Scholarship Fund to the Baraga County Community Foundation for distribution.
The meeting included routine approvals: adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of prior meeting minutes, and an authorization for Mary Deline to be added as a secondary check signatory with Sue Bollech removed. The board set its next meeting for Feb. 9, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
The reopening committee will coordinate next steps, and the district will send families a letter outlining the in-person and at-home options ahead of the Feb. 23 start date for in-person instruction.
