Administrators, teachers, staff spend an extra 3,420 hours preparing for 2020-21
By Robert Cloud
District Administrator Ron Saari estimated Waupaca School district staff worked a total of 3,420 additional hours so far this summer.
Saari detailed how teachers, administrators and staff are working beyond their contract days this summer to help the district prepare for the 2020-21 school year during the July 14 Waupaca School Board meeting.
With Rhonda Hare resigning as principal of the Chain Exploration Center, Catherine Siefert, lead teacher at CEC, plans to work helping the new principal get up to speed.
She is also working with Matt Vasser, the building and grounds coordinator, with the spacing of desks in the classrooms.
“We anticipate a total of 60 hours she will be investing in this work,” Saari said.
Six administrators – Joe Serbetoli, Jen Erb, Laura Colbert, John Meyer, Jon Erspamer and Jody Pankratz – have used all their contract days and continue to work.
Saari said he estimated they will each work about 220 additional hours for a total of 1,300 hours before the end of the summer.
Two school nurses – Jamie Trzebiatowski and Hannah Rowe – are projected to work an additional 160 hours beyond their contracts.
Saari said four tech coaches will work an additional 60 hours each over the summer.
The core team of school administrators and teachers have been working an average of 25 hours per week in overtime in order to do their planning for a total of 1,500 hours.
Saari said one-time stipends will be given to most of those who have put in the extra hours.
He noted the core team is not looking for any stipends.
Funding for the stipends will come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Also known as the CARES Act, it provides flexible grants to schools and municipalities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district has earmarked some of the CARES Act funding for learning management programs, computers and hotspots for students who need internet access.
“Even though we know that our intended stipends will not cover all the time they are investing into our planning process, it is something to show that we value and appreciate each of them, their input and assistance, as well as their precious time,” Saari said.