Hopkins Public Schools, just like all other districts, has seen a reduction in numbers of students because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Superintendent Gary Wood told the Board of Education Monday evening the current enrollment is 1,504 students, down 110 from last fall. He added that 85 students, 25 of them high school seniors, now are taking classes entirely via the Internet.
“We have fewer remote students than we did during the second tri-mester,” Wood said.
The third tri-mester will commence Monday, March 8, and Hopkins will switch from the hybrid learning plan to in-person classroom instruction four days each week. Wednesdays will be reserved for all on-line instruction and catch-up activities.
In other business at the school board meeting, members:
- Agreed to refinance the bond loan agreement, a move Wood said could save the district at least a couple hundred thousand dollars over 10 years.
- Promised to make a decision later this month on establishing a girls’ golf program next fall. The matter was brought up last fall, but was scuttled because of the pandemic.
Wood noted “It’s a non-contact sport” and there seems to be enough interest.
- Fielded requests from John Robinson, Tracy Iciek and Lisa Gauthier to allow sixth-grade boys to use the Sycamore Elementary gym for basketball practices.
Robinson stressed the need to let all children in the school system to be able to use available facilities.
Wood said, “We have not allowed outside groups to use our facilities (since the virus pandemic started), but I’m pretty sure we will open up opportunities.”
Board President Jeff Gilder said there is a need to update policies governing facility use.
- Was told by the superintendent that political bickering in Lansing is holding up progress on school funding. He urged everyone to encourage the governor and legislators “not to make students pawns in their political games.”
- Adopted a resolution to ask the state to permit board meetings starting in April to be held in person rather than entirely on line.
