K-W School Board removes block schedule for next school year

Reviewing comment and recommendations from the ad hoc committee he formed at the beginning of the school year, Kenyon-Wanamingo grade 7-12 Principal Brent Ashland asked the school board on Jan. 23 to adopt an eight-period day once again at the school. The high school and junior high students have been operating on a modified block schedule for some years, which was implemented by former high school principal Patrick Walsh. The block gave teachers a two-period time frame for a class once each week.
Ashland cited scheduling conflicts as one of the top reasons for making the change. He said the block time frame does not fit with WETC classes offered to students, and kids were having to split their time. The principal said he felt the brightest students were being penalized by the schedule, and gave the example of students having to choose between taking advanced physics and calculus when they really need both for college entrance. The block schedule was also troublesome whenever there was an interruption to the normal week, such as during Homecoming, he said. Board member Karla Bauer said she would refer to Ashland’s experience on this, and made a motion to have 8 period days next school year, which passed 6-0.
Another new business topic which received much discussion was the hiring of athletic trainer services for high school sports games. Superintendent Jeff Evert said the high school league strongly recommends having a trainer on hand for sporting events. He said that K-W Athletic Director Randy Hockinson was in agreement that it would be a good idea. The trainer would be a medical professional who could give advice on injury, recovery and rehabilitation. Being on hand at a game, they would do concussion screening and monitor any injuries.
The wrestling program has had such a trainer since last season, according to head wrestling coach and K-6 Principal Matt Ryan. He said the officials always ask if they have one on hand at a meet. Ashland added that it also takes that pressure off the coaches on making medical calls.
“It has been a really good thing,” said Ryan. “You always hope you don’t have to use them, but it is good to have an athletic trainer there.”
There were two parts to the proposition brought to the school by the Mayo Clinic Rochester Sports Medicine Center. The first was providing athletic trainer services two times per week at the school for up to 90 minutes for a flat fee of $700 per academic school year . This time would be used during high school games. Any additional coverage would be $27.50 per hour. According to the agreement form, additional education inservices for the coaches and/or parents would be provided upon request at no additional charge.
Board member Debb Paquin said her son wrestles, and took a hard hit at a recent match. He was checked out by the athletic trainer and rechecked several times that night as well. Paquin said she felt that the agreement would be worthwhile and provide peace of mind for parents. More discussion ensued on the costs and benefits, and the board voted to hire Mayo Clinic to provide medical athletic trainers during the high school games. They decided to consult all the senior high coaches regarding additional time for rehabilitation training.
Committee Reports
Fifty youth attended the Community Education bowling trip on Jan. 23, and 91 were set to go skiing at Welch Village on Jan. 24, according to director Kris Kincaid. Programs have been well attended, she said, and the cheer camp had 46 youngsters participate recently. Kincaid said she has seen some problems with payment of facility fees and providing rosters from some groups. She will not schedule them again until they respond and comply.
The Education Foundation is sponsoring Music on Sunday on March 4, and also the Elementary School Carnival on Friday, March 30.
The building and grounds committee reported that parts of the old roof in Kenyon will need fixing, likely this summer if the budget allows.
In other news:
• The board accepted a donation of $900 from Elise Wrolstad and expressed thanks at her generosity. Wrolstad, a board member, was not in attendance due to illness.
• Ashland said he implemented first semester finals for classes, and felt it went well for the students. He said it helps keep the kids engaged through the end of the semester.
• Evert said the school received a visit from an IRS payroll auditor who reviewed the records and found all to be in order.