Esko Schools: Tutors will try to bridge Covid gap

Esko schools plan to expand a tutoring program for students who fell behind during distance learning, after a pilot program led by high school principal Greg Hexum showed good results. The high school tutoring program will provide remedial help and focus on credit recovery, which is for juniors and seniors who may need help to earn the credits needed to graduate. The elementary school program, led by principal Brian Harker, will focus on remedial needs in the core subjects such as reading and math.

Esko school board members approved both plans during Monday’s meeting.

Hexum said remedial programs are common in schools. “But with Covid and distance learning, we’ve seen a greater need. Some students having challenges need this extra help to stay on pace to graduate, on time,” he said. “We’re taking the students with the most pressing needs first, the ones who need this help to stay on course for graduation. As we gain ground with those students, we’ll start working on lower grades, in the core area courses for grades 9-11 too.”

Hexum said the goal is to avoid the need for summer school. “A reduced need for credit recovery will reduce the need to fill in the gaps, and if we’re successful, summer school won’t be needed. That’s the goal,” Hexum said.

Federal money is expected to help cover some of the expense, although the exact amount of reimbursement is unknown. But superintendent Aaron Fischer stressed that the program will go on even if it doesn’t qualify for the federal funds.

In other business, the board raised rates and requirements for the popular Cool Kids program, which provides before- and after-school care for students through the fifth grade. The rates increased to $5 per session for the before-school time and $7 per session after school, with a minimum of three sessions per week. Previously, parents could use as little as one session per week. The board hopes the new minimum will make staffing more predictable.

The board also approved an expenditure of $6,000 for new football helmets. Fischer explained to the board that football helmets have an expiration date and new helmets are needed to replace older helmets. The board also discussed resuming in-person board meetings, rather than online meetings, but took no action.

The next meeting is scheduled for at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 via Zoomon the district website.