School board briefed on annual 'report card'

At their Monday Feb. 5 meeting, the Hayward Community School Board members were briefed on the recent annual “report card” issued for the local schools and acted on several items.

District Curriculum Director Kelly Ryder reviewed the recent state “Report Card” issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the 2022-23 academic year.

As first reported last November, the Report Cards give the Hayward Community School District an overall score of 64.4, “Meets Expectations,” out of a possible 100 points.

Individual school scores were: 73.8 for the high school, “Exceeds Expectations” (the first time ever); 55.7 for the Middle School, “Meets Few Expectations”; 67.4 for the Intermediate School, “Meets Expectations”; and the Primary School, grades K-2, received an alternate rating of “Satisfactory Progress.”

The DPI also ranked the district’s two charter schools. The Hayward Center for Individualized Learning (HACIL), which serves students from K4 through 12th grade, had an overall score of 71.7, “Exceeds Expectations” ; and the Northern Waters Environmental School (NWES), which enrolls students in grades 6-12, was rated 58.9, “Meets Expectations.”

Report cards include data for multiple school years across four priority areas: Achievement, Growth, Target Group Outcomes, and On-Track to Graduation. The Achievement and Growth priority areas are weighted based on a district or school percentage of economically disadvantaged pupils, as required by state law.

“Our achievement scores are high” in reading and math, Ryder said. “Hayward scores are 100 percent going in the right direction.”

The only schools in this region besides Hayward whose scores increased this year were Bayfield, Cumberland, Ashland, and Superior.

But the district “continues to struggle with chronic absenteeism,” Ryder said.

Ryder reported that teachers are prepping students for upcoming state tests, including the American College Test (ACT) and Forward exams.

Supt. Craig Olson noted that the deadline will be March 15 for Hayward students to register for the three-week summer school in June. Flyers have been distributed.

Eighth grade teachers Mike Nechuta and Grady Weimer gave an update on evidence-based learning and grading at the middle school.

Teachers “really like what it has done for student learning in their classrooms,” said Principal Hugh Duffy.

In other actions Monday, the board:

Received the resignation of Alicia Wiebe as head girls volleyball coach.

Voted to hire Anne Kriskovich as interim head girls soccer coach.

Approved the renewal of the co-op girls wrestling program with the Northwood School District.

Supt. Olson said seven persons have applied for community education director. Applicants will be interviewed starting Feb. 14.

Olson reported that School Resource Officer (SRO) Ryan Krummel has resigned from the City of Hayward Police Department. A transition is taking place, and a new school resource officer “will be around,” he said. Other law enforcement officers are continually nearby when the schools need their help.

The board’s facilities committee voted to deny requests to install an electric vehicle charging station at the high school. Facilities manager Duane Bemis said one quote was for $35,000 to install two charging stations.

District office

With the construction of the office addition at Hayward High School, the Hayward School District’s central offices will be moved from the intermediate school to the high school as of Friday, Feb. 16.