NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD

GRAND FORKS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT #1

Monday, November 16, 2020 - 6:00 p.m.
Mark Sanford Education Center, 2400 47th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND

The meeting will be broadcast live at https://www.youtube.com/c/GFSchools. Due to the

COVID-19 public health emergency, this meeting will be conducted with social distancing
consistent with CDC recommendations and as allowed under Governor Doug Burgum’s
executive order suspending NDCC 44-04-19. As a result, space will be limited or not available in
the school board meeting room. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to view the
Livestream through the District’s YouTube page. For in-person attendees, face coverings are
required to be worn at all times while in the building. Hand sanitizer is available for use upon
entering the building.

AGENDA

6:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:01 p.m. II. SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

A. Recommendation to Move to Distance Learning

8:00 p.m. IX. ADJOURNMENT

Persons with disabilities who may need assistance to access or participate at the meeting should
call the superintendent’s office at 787-4880 at least 24 hours prior to this meeting.
 Mission Statement
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.

Mark Sanford Education Center Dr. Terry Brenner

PO Box 6000 (58206-6000) Superintendent of Schools
2400 47th Avenue South (58201-3405) Office: 701.787.4880
Grand Forks, ND Fax: 701.772.7739
www.gfschools.org tbrenner270@mygfschools.org

MEMORANDUM
TO: Grand Forks School Board Members
FROM: Dr. Terry Brenner, Superintendent of Schools
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Move to Distance Learning
DATE: November 13, 2020
______________________________________________________________________________________________

At your Monday, November 16 school board meeting, a team of District leaders will present our recommendation for
the district to move to Pre-K-12 distance learning. While input from a number of internal and external stakeholders
was widely varied, the purpose at this time to make the adjustment is due to collective and mounting staff absences.
You have heard me say repeatedly that any potential pivot would likely be the result of staff absences which are not
all due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At any given time, we have a percent of staff out for COVID-related reasons whether they are positive or a close
contact. We also have staff out who are sick, have ill family members, or may be on bereavement leave. All of the
absences begin to compound logistical challenges at the school level. Additionally, it should be noted that when
between 600 and 800 students are out due to being a close contact, the planning, preparation, and grading becomes
exacerbated. It is my belief that we take a step back, allow staff to restore their health, and move to distance learning
where one could argue the playing field becomes a bit more level, in the short-term, when providing instruction to
6,100 students. The recommended time frame for distance learning would be from Monday, November 30 through
Tuesday, December 22. Teachers would use November 23, 24, and 25 as planning days prior to the November 26-27
Thanksgiving break. Both face-to-face and present distance learning students would not have school that week.

Attached please find the slide deck that will be presented to you on Monday. I look forward to your feedback,
conversation and subsequent approval.

Enclosure: Distance Learning Presentation

CC: GFAFB School Board

_______________Providing Equal Opportunities in Education and Employment_______________

 Special
School Board
Meeting
November 16th, 2020
Transition to Distance
Learning
Decision-Making Input & Instructional Models Considered
Input from
● Administrative Cabinet
● GFEA Leadership
● Non-GFEA Teachers
● Principals & Directors
● Public Health Leadership
● Students
● City Leadership
● UND Leadership
● Health Care System Leadership
● Large School District
Superintendents
● ND High School Activities
Association
Pre-K-12 Instructional Models
Considered
● Pre-K-12 4 day school week with
one day for teacher preparation
● Pre-K-5 Face to Face; 6-12
Distance Learning
● Pre-K-12 Distance Learning from
Nov. 30-Dec. 11
● Pre-K-12 Distance Learning from
Nov. 30-Dec. 22
● Hybrid model at elementary
and/or middle school
Recommendation and Rationale
PreK-12 Distance Learning from Nov. 30- Dec. 22

● Provides staff and students time to regain health /

complete quarantine periods
● Provides predictable teaching and learning model
● Technology and access infrastructure established
● CIT professional development and training conducted
Dates
Teacher Preparation: Distance Learning:

November 23rd, 24th, 25th November 30th- December

22nd
Item to Note:
Early Release continued as on the calendar
17 days of distance learning
● December 2nd
● December 16th Face-to-face learning resumes
January 4th
Work Expectations for Certified Staff
● Staff will work contracted hours
● Teaching will occur from the classroom unless there is an
extenuating family circumstance. Staff members would
then work with their building administrator.
Elementary Schedule
● Two synchronous lessons per day to stay connected to
students. Live lessons recorded and shared with students
who are absent.
● As is age-appropriate, SeeSaw or Google Classroom
Posts/Assignments distributed in addition to the
synchronous lessons and read aloud per day.
● We value the work and purpose of our specialists. Therefore,
at least one special per day for students will be synchronous.
Middle School Schedule
● Mirror daily block schedule as closely as possible
● Synchronous sessions daily in each course
● Block schedule continues
● Google Meet and Google Classroom
communication platforms utilized
High School Schedule
● Mirror daily bell schedule as closely as possible
● Synchronous sessions daily in each course
● Hybrid model continues (or not) -- TBD according to
teacher input
● Google Meet and Google Classroom
communication platforms utilized
Attendance and Grading Practices
● Elementary: Attendance taken during synchronous lesson; students
also marked present if a student completes assignments (up to 24
hours). This includes special education or other small groups.
● Secondary: Attendance taken during synchronous lesson each
class period. Absences during the synchronous lessons will not
impact academic grades unless student fails to complete work.
● “COVID bump” N/A -- teachers grade according to established
standards and protocols (rubrics/scales, standards-based, graded
assessments)
Supports for Learners
Access to supports will continue. These supports
include but are not limited to:
Counselors

Social Workers

SROs

Community Partners
Paraprofessionals
● Goal = maintain work levels and workforce by
repositioning assignments and duties (regular
scheduled hours at regular pay rate)
○ Online learner support
○ Assisting food service distribution
○ Encore program support
○ Site-based distance learning supervision and
education support for online teachers
All Other Classified Staff
● Goal = maintain work levels (regular scheduled hours at
regular pay rate)
○ Report onsite at regularly scheduled time unless
there are extenuating circumstance that do not
allow for this as approved by supervisor
○ May be assigned to projects, other duties
Considerations for Specialized Learning
● English Learners
● Special Education
● STEP Program
● McKinney Vento

Support sessions hosted in buildings to complement

distance learning instruction and ensure student success
Encore
● State Waiver to Provide Encore During the School Day
● 4 School Sites (North, South and Mid-Town Locations)
● Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
● Breakfast and Lunch Served
● Encore Staff and School Para Support
● Grade Levels K-5
● Priority Given to COVID Health Care Workers, Current Encore
Families, and GFPS Teaching Staff
Technology
● All students have a learning device (1:1)
● Tech Support available:
○ 701-787-4318
○ techsupport@mygfschools.org
● Exchange of devices will occur at the home school
● Mobile hotspots available for families in need
Child Nutrition
● Meals will be provided for pick up at school locations
○ Hot lunch meal packaged with a cold breakfast for the next morning
○ (excluding: Community, Head Start & Schroeder Middle School)
● Social workers identifying designated potential pick up
locations throughout the community
● Breakfast and lunch will be available to any in-person learner
● Meals continue to be provided at no cost to all students for
the remainder of the school year
Athletics and Activities
● High school competitive and performance-based
athletics and activities will continue during distance
learning
○ Safety protocols maintained
○ Fan attendance remains contingent upon
community COVID data