School district preps for online learning option
By Daniel Arens
While the school buildings stand empty of students, teachers are working hard this week to get needed education to kids in a new and creative way.
Due to the COVID-19 (or “coronavirus”) pandemic, Governor Doug Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI) have issued orders closing state schools until further notice. However, the governor is also requesting that online learning procedures be up and running by the start of April.
“We for sure are going to have everything in place by April 1,” Ken Miller, superintendent at Hazen Public Schools, said, adding the district is working to submit their “distance education” plan to the governor by this Friday.
During a special school board meeting held by teleconference last Friday, the school board unanimously approved paying all teachers and district staff through March 31, with the board hoping for more guidance to come from the state on how to proceed for the future months. They also began looking at developing Hazen’s long-distance learning program.
