Many High School Students Quarantined

Maintaining a six-foot distance, the practice gym was the setting for the Kimball School Board regular monthly meeting on Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Board members were stationed six feet apart while most other attendees had masks or face coverings on.

Highlighting the meeting was a short presentation about Beyond Textbooks. Beyond Textbooks was recently adopted and is used in the third to sixth grades. Mr. Ben Ferguson along with four of his fifth-grade students described why they like Beyond Textbooks.

Ferguson heaped praise on the program because it lets students progress at their own pace. The students liked this form of instruction because everyone seemed to be focused on doing their assignments and not making noises. They also liked that they can switch between the computer and the book and everyone can work at their own pace.

Midway through the meeting, Tom O'Brien was sworn in to serve on the school board, O'Brien will complete Lynn Vogel's term. O'Brien was the fourth-place vote getter in the recent election.

The first three vote getters will replace current members Clint Cornils, Heather Norberg and Carrie Tabor in January.

Superintendent Anderson reported to the board that the new Kimball School website has been launched and encourages people to check it out and download the app.

Mary Lynch Principal Jamie Soper reported that the current enrollment in grades Pre-K to 6 is 215. The largest classes are kindergarten and fifth grade, both at 36 students while the smallest is fourth grade with only 20 students. It also appears that the ELITE program could be back in business after the first of the year if COVID permits as Principal Jamie Soper has hired two co-leaders for the after school program.

The Jr./Sr. High School Principal Report stated that more than 50 students were absent due to COVID-19 and quarantine mandates.

"It is our hope that when all students and staff wear masks when social distancing is not possible, we will see quarantine mandates decrease significantly," the report said.

Superintendent Trevor Anderson reviewed the Amended KPS Return Plan. Anderson said that about ¼ of the students in the school have recently been quarantined. He said it is difficult to maintain consistency in their education if they are absent, so it is important to keep the students healthy and in school. The amended plan was changed so that in-person learning will continue for now, but masks are required when 6 foot social distancing cannot be maintained.

In addition, masks are required on all school district transportation while in the orange and red levels.