Prairie schools to return to hybrid Jan. 4
By Ted Pennekamp
The Prairie du Chien School Board voted 4-3 Monday night to have Jan. 4 as the day that the schools of the district go back to the hybrid model (part virtual, part face-to-face) of instruction. Lynn O’Kane, Cassie Hubanks and Nick Gilberts voted against the Jan. 4 proposal.
District Administrator Andy Banasik had recommended Jan. 11 in order to follow the Crawford County Health Department recommendation of 14 days after Christmas break.
During a special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3, the board had approved of having all the schools in the district remain 100 percent virtual learning until Dec. 23, the beginning of Christmas break. The decision to remain 100 percent virtual was due to COVID-19 considerations.
On Monday night, the board also approved of having four spectators per athlete for high school winter sports events, and two spectators per athlete for middle school winter sports.
In addition, the board unanimously approved of having spring musical and spring play opportunities.
In other business, it was noted that the seats of Lonnie Achenbach, Michael Higgins and Tom Peterson are up for election to the Prairie du Chien School Board. Jan. 5, 2021 is the deadline to file candidacy papers. The spring election is on April 6, 2021.
Following the closed session, the board approved of wage increases of 1.81 percent consumer price index rate for teachers, support staff and administration.