Colby
stealth units which are dummies identical to actual functions vapes that can be switched around and moved to different bathrooms and locker rooms.
“They pick up noise, they pick up moisture from the vape.”
On the back of this, board member Cheryl Ploeckelman asked what Kolden what is the school’s policy when they do discover a student vaping on school grounds.
“We will utilize student discipline,” Kolden said. “We’re dealing with three of them right now.”
Meeting expectations
Kolden also addressed the student accountability report, and the recent development of the school failing to meet some of the district and DPI’s expectations.
“When our high school met few expectations I started to look back over time. the accountability report card is a snapshot and while meeting few expectations Colby
is a concern, I also want to mention that it’s the first time it’s happened since they’ve done state report cards.”
Kolden noted that the amount of students who have opted out of the district increased by 772 percent over the years, and this may have had an impact on meeting expectations. Board member Cheryl Ploeckelman also wondered how severe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and virtual learning instruction, may have impacted student’s performances.
“I think it definitely had an impact,” Kolden said without hesitation. “I don’t believe it can not have an impact. I don’t think the learning was as good, but when you look at our high school, the last three times we’ve done it, they’ve exceeded expectations.”
Kolden said the district’s next step would be to take a closer look at the data and the specific student sub-groups within the district that are struggling to meet expectations.
Ploeckelman asked for further clarification on specific student sub-groups. Kolden said those break down by demographic, which can be broken down by economics, such as those students on free and reduced lunch, ELL students and special needs students.
“If they take the test, and do poorly, and if those who are higher achieving opt out of the test, it brings everything down. I don’t want to be mean, I’m just asking,” Ploeckelman said.
Kolden said that could be a contributing factor, but more work and research will have to be done on what specific areas the district and staff can target to improve education so that more students are meeting expectations.
“We’ll have to look at those specifics and what brought those scores down,” Kolden said.
Other business
n The board made a motion to approve the resignation of ELL aide Lilia Parra. The board also accepted William Hennes’ retirement as a school custodian.
n The district received a donation in the amount of $29,000 from Forward Bank to replace the football scoreboard.
n The board approved out of state travel for the Colby FFA trip to St. Paul for the World’s Toughest Rodeo on Jan. 28, and wrestling to Minneapolis for a match between UW - Madison and Minnesota on Jan. 16.
n A motion was made by the board to approve the 2022-23 school calendar as presented.
The Colby School District’s first day of instruction for the 2022-23 school year is Sept. 1, 2022, with the last day of instruction scheduled for June 2, 2023.
Graduation for the Class of 2023 is scheduled for May 26.
n The board made a motion to ap- prove to replace air condition units for rooms 409 and 405, and not to exceed $42,000. The money will be drawn from ESSER III funds.
n A motion was made to approve the refinishing of the high school theater stage floor at a cost of $5,900 and adding a second option of an additional $1,100 for two coats of staining and varnish.
