Cornell School Board; Some students are very close to truant numbers

Cornell School Board member Eileen Sikora shares what she learned at a recent training in Georgia, with fellow board members Jan. 9, and what opportunities are available the district to help with distance learning. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

This winter has seemed to be full of sickness and school closings, because of weather. But parents are reminded that they still need to send kids to school when possible.

Children shouldn’t miss all or part of five days in a semester, without a doctor’s note, but many are reaching that limit or beyond, which was concerning to Cornell School District superintendent Paul Schley during a board meeting Jan. 9.

“No, don’t send your kids to school sick, but if you’re at the doctor, grab a note,” said Schley.

Schley said he knows it’s frustrating for parents, but that it is required of the school to follow up on that matter.

“We still have to follow the law, too,” he said.

When talking about attendance, the shift focused to board members approving open enrollment caps, since Cornell is above the numbers they should be and are overworked, to the point of looking at additional staff.

“We don’t want to get a lot more,” said Schley, adding that it’s hard to take care of other district’s kids when Cornell is already so full. “We don’t have a light load for special ed.”

Schley also reported that a recent placement on an online auction garnered a few proceeds, to help with redoing the electrical in the shop.

“That’s original,” he said. “We have some major work to do to get it up-to-date.”

Middle/high school principal Dave Elliott says they are working on having more communications with parents early on, to help students keep up with where they need to be.

He also mentioned that the school is working with the Chippewa County Criminal Division and planning a townhall night to deal with vaping education for the parents.

“That is a battle with every school in the nation right now,” said Elliott.

The Student Council has also been asked to do another blood drive by the Red Cross, so they are organizing one for April.

“I think that is very valuable,” said Elliott. During the meeting, the board approved the retirement of guidance counselor Allison Schnobrich and the hire of middle girls basketball assistant coach Sheena Pogodzinski.

Schnobrich said she is very grateful for the opportunity Cornell gave her and that she was rewarded by being part of the team that implemented the Mental Health Grant.

I’m not sure what comes next for me,

she wrote. The next adventure will just unfold.