The Aitkin School Board decided at its regular meeting Dec. 21 that students in grades 4-12 would return to school Jan. 5.
The vote was 4-2, with Noel Bailey not at that part of the meeting. The two dissenting votes were John Chute and Cindi Hills.
Aitkin Schools grades 4-12 have been in distance learning since Nov. 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with grades preK-3 still at Rippleside Elementary in person.
The discussion at the Dec. 21 meeting started with Superinteindent Dan Stifter saying the district would likely be able to return earlier than the original Jan. 18 estimate.
Stifter initially pitched the idea of students in grades 4-12 returning on Jan. 11. While final details on the state of Minnesota âreturn to schoolâ order set for Jan. 18 are up in the air, Stifter said schools can return sooner if they present a plan to the state.
The Aitkin School Board admitted Nov. 30 it is in a bind.
After the failure of the Capital Projects Levy in the Nov. 3 election â which would have provided the district with $500,000 a year for 10 years â the board began to weigh options at the Nov. 30 work session.
From the meeting, the board is in agreement it should try to go out for a second CPL and communicate better to the public the reasons for the levy.
Tentatively, the board is looking at a May 11 second vote.
The comment and review document must be to the Minnesota Department of Education by Feb. 10.
Otherwise, Aitkin Superintendent Dan Stifter said there will need to be cuts made â and those cuts will directly impact student experience, something he tried to avoid with cuts previously.