Liam HalawithMaroon Echoes News Editor MT. PLEASANT – At Monday’s MPCSD school board meeting, representatives from the Mt. Pleasant Education Association spoke to the board about a survey of district teachers, many of whom are feeling the effects of the added workload of the district’s remote learning option and students in quarantine. According to a survey of district teachers, the MPEA found that many teachers spend a lot of extra time every week helping remote students. The survey found that high school and middle school teachers spend on average 8 hours per week of “after-hours” or after school time, to help remote students. The survey also found that area elementary school teachers spend on average 18 hours per week working on their remote learning programs. MPEA Vice President Lottie Schnicker, attributes a large number of hours spent to educators having to put their own lessons online on Canvas, the district’s electronic delivery system. The survey also found that 69% of teachers at the middle school and high school use some school hours and some after-school hours to complete their work with remote students, while 31% do it on their own time. They also found that many teachers are not paid extra for their time serving online learners. However, some buildings are better at giving teachers time during the school day to work than others. At the high school teachers are given an eighth period to work with remote learners. While, at the middle and elementary schools teachers get some time during in-service and professional development days, only if meetings aren’t scheduled during those times. MPEA President Molly Ingerson concluded their presentation emphasizing their empathy for the board, asking them to consider what teachers have to say about remote learning. “We know that we are building a ship as we sail it because of covid and online learning, but for the sake of our students and staff we can’t sink the boat,” Ingerson said. “All of us here tonight, we all share in the common goal to have our students succeed, and we also have to keep in mind the teachers that are steering the ship,” she added. District Superintendent John Henriksen stated that the district will be reviewing their remote learning program to determine if a switch to only serving medically fragile students is necessary. “There are no questions, it's been a challenge. We recognize that and we are looking at alternatives,” Henriksen said. The district is exploring the possibility of looking to curriculum vendors for help. Where outside vendors could possibly provide teachers and curriculum for the district. “It’s just not a sustainable model that we’re in. We need to look at alternatives,” Henriksen said. District Certified Enrollment Down 44 Students Later during the board meeting, Superintendent John Henriksen presented the district’s 2020 certified enrollment numbers. According to the numbers prepared by the district office, the district's actual or total enrollment is 1,858.4 students, which is down by 44 students from 1,902.77 students in 2019.
This leads to a marked decrease in funds available to the district from the state. The loss of 44 students cost the district around $484,000 in total funding, with per-student funding at about $11,000, for fiscal year 22. According to Henriksen, this downward slope is a trend for the school district, which according to AEA numbers is seeing a 16.2% decrease in certified enrollment over the last 5 years. Henriksen also stated that the numbers are showing about the same across the state, emphasizing that the district will have to, “Wait and see what the legislator does,” regarding funding for public school districts and student weighting. Districts around the area are seeing similar effects, with school districts like Burlington, Seymour, and Winfield-Mt. Union seeing declines in their 5-year averages above 10%.
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November 2020
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