Board expects to ratify contract with BVEA in April
Jamie Hult
Staff writer
Construction of Sparta Elementary is expected to stay on schedule, noted Supt. Dr. Jarod Larson at last week’s Brandon Valley Board of Education meeting, though the coronavirus pandemic could affect supply lines in ways the district can’t currently foresee.
The school board practiced social distancing by spacing out in their meeting space at the high school community room during their bimonthly meeting March 23.
The district postponed its initial meeting with the Brandon Valley Education Association for teacher negotiations until today (April 1).
“There has been conversation at the state level about opening the budget, or re-evaluating the budget,” said Larson. “So we’re going to take a chance, given our current circumstances, to pause for one week, allow that to happen, allow Veto Day to happen, and then proceed forward.”
He expects the district to ratify the master contract with the BVEA by April 14.
BV’s school nutrition department has been busy in recent days due to “our unique set of circumstances,” Larson added, as the workers continue packing and distributing “grab and go” breakfasts and lunches, which are available at four sites in the school district.
“I would note that program has gone about as well as we could have hoped,” Larson said.
The superintendent also advised the board of the school district’s COVID-19 website, which can be accessed from the BVSD’s main website.
“It is absolutely critical that folks know that is our central communication hub regarding COVID-19,” Larson said. “It is the first thing that gets updated in the event that we’re going to have a school closure, or in the event that district learning plans become available – those types of things.”
He went on to update the board on BV’s second week of distance learning, including enhancements that weren’t available in the first week.
“I would note that we will continue to improve our distance learning plan, specifically at that elementary and intermediate school level,” he said.
Board member Ellie Saxer thanked administration for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“There’s been a common theme across the community: Everybody’s come together,” she said. “Not every school district has been as fortunate to launch, I think, a distance learning plan as effective as been launched in this district.”
