by Betty Bruner
March 23, 2020
NEWELL – Newell School Board members received information about surrounding schools from Superintendent Robin Dutt concerning paying support staff during the COVID-19 school closure.
Dutt shared two motions passed by Belle Fourche School Board members and Meade County District School Board members. Both schools had voted to continue paying support personnel.
Jeremiah Weeldreyer, Head Maintenance, told the board members that several support staff individuals had been in to help with cleaning projects. They could continue to put in hours helping at the school.
“There’s plenty to do,” he said.
Dutt reminded the board that some of the paraprofessionals are funded by Federal money. If that amount is less for the 2019-2020 school year, then the funding may go down next year.
Following further discussion the board decided to pay regular rate for regularly scheduled hours during the state-mandated closure of schools.
Dutt also mentioned a challenge she had issued to teachers to do as much online teaching as possible. The availability of Internet access may be a hurdle, but there may be a solution soon.
The board went into Executive Session to discuss staffing for the new year, personnel issues, and negotiations.
