Esko board backs online classes for snowy days

Snow days may soon be a thing of the past in Esko.

Esko school board members approved the district’s eLearning day policy — basically having school online instead of canceling classes for a snow day — as presented by superintendent Aaron Fischer during the Jan. 9 meeting.

eLearning days will be communicated to parents and students at least two hours prior to normal start time. Teachers will share assignments virtually or will have sent home assignments prior to the eLearning day. Internet accommodations will be made for families that do not have reliable internet at home and assignments will need to be turned in within three days of the eLearning day. The full policy can be found on the district’s website.

The board also heard an update on plans for the district’s new fitness center on Jan. 9.

The board was presented another design change by the district’s contractor, ICS, which was drawn up as an alternative in case the original design does not meet the state’s expectations for egress capacity.

The new design is slightly larger than the previous design and would include separate entrances for community members, students, and an entrance through the gym.

ICS was unable to tell the board the cost of the new design, as it is not near being finalized. The ICS representative informed the board they would need to meet with the state in the next few weeks before the board would know what design route they will need to take. The board scheduled a work session to discuss the fitness center at 5 p.m. Jan. 30.

In other business, the board selected school board officers for 2023. Jerry Frederick was selected as chair, Todd Rengo as vice chair, Margaret Sunnarborg as treasurer, and Steve McConnell will serve as clerk. Newly elected member Robert Johnson was appointed to multiple board committee assignments for his first year on the board, including staff development, community education and various other committees.