Northland School Board: Outdoor Classrooms Closer to Reality

   Brandon Otway presented the early childhood outdoor classroom at the regular school board meeting held Thurs., July 15. Otway has been working on the plans and layout of this classroom for the past few years with construction to hopefully begin this fall. This classroom will allow for pre-kindergarten students to explore and learn in an outdoor environment. The classroom will be located next to the early childhood building on the school campus with various education areas. For example there will be an area for the children and teachers to sit down for a lesson; a nature art area plus a messy materials area; a climbing area with hillside stairs leading to a built in slide, to help students with mobility and a wheeled toy area. 

   Otway also stated there will be various storage bins placed around the classroom to allow easy access. The plans also include building a 5 -6’ slope to allow the kids to sled with a three-sided pavilion/warming house nearby. The plans also include various shade trees and pine trees to be planted as a windbreak. 

   Business manager Ellie Hill was on hand to inform the board the construction of this is included in the budget for this year and the first part of construction will be to have water and concrete work done. Otway also mentioned he would like to purchase, or have community members donate, more mature trees in order to have shade established right away. The other hope is for this classroom to be enjoyed by all students, even though it is located by the early childhood building, Otway encourages teachers of all classrooms to utilize some of the areas. 

   The board approved a resolution to join the Up North Learning Center, which is located in Walker. This learning center is for students classified as having a  level 4 learning disability. The initial capital contribution from the school district will be in the amount of $100,000, with this amount being reimbursed after three years. The board also approved authorizing the annual lease payment in the amount of $85,000 which is an amount that will be levied.

   In other Board action:

   • Approved recycling or the possible sale of non-operational devices and obsolete devices, a piano and a 1998 Ford Ranger.

   • Approved the hire of Architectural Resources, Inc for building project at 8% of the cost of project.

   • Accepted the resignation of Traci Kasper, social worker effective June 30 and approved to discontinue the position.

   • Accepted the resignation of Jon Payne, assistant principal effecitve July 6 and post for an assistant principal and activities director combination position.

   • Approved the hire of Beth Wilson as special education teacher effective Aug. 27.

   • Approved the contract with Kerry Ruyak, school nurse for 2021-2022.

   • Approved maternity leave for Amber Osterhoudt from Sept. 8 - Oct. 1 and post for a long term substitute.

   • Approved for an addition of paraprofessional position at 6.75 hours per day for Little Sands Learning Center.

   • Approved the reduction of a .5 FTE position and post for a .5 FTE science teacher position. 

   The Board scheduled the following meetings: a work session, Thurs., Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting, Thurs,. Aug. 19 at 5:30 p.m. all meetings are held at Northland High School.