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After two years, it appears that the Ely School District’s “early out” Wednesdays will remain part of the school schedule.
Board members took no action at Monday’s brief study session, but there was no indication that change is afoot and a survey of staff members showed strong support for the initiative, that began at the start of the 2023-24 school year.
“It was overwhelming that the staff felt the benefits were with the early releases,” said superintendent Anne Oelke.
Each Wednesday, students are released from school at 2 p.m, rather than the 2:50 p.m. final bell in place during the rest of the week.
Teachers use that time for staff meetings, planning and collaboration, and the early release was largely supported by teachers when the plan was approved in 2023.
School officials say the benefits include:
• Common meeting time for teachers and administration; • Professional learning communities embedded into the contract time;
• Collaboration time for teachers and administrators;
• Consistent meeting time weekly; • Extra time for planning; Supporters also say that the early releases provide more time for students for homework help or after- school meetings with teachers, and that teachers have more time to reflect, plan and collaborate, fostering high-quality teaching and instruction.
The additional time also allows for more focused and planned professional development and consistent expectations and plans for each Wednesday.
The early releases are done in lieu of four additional in-service days for teachers.
The district conducted a survey and of 18 teachers who responded 77 percent preferred that the early release days continue.
Also Monday, board members were briefed about a plan to put a formal policy in place to evaluate the superintendent’s job performance.
The district is using a model policy developed by the Minnesota School Board Association and refining it to fit Ely, with a formal presentation to the board to follow next month.
Board chairperson Rochelle Sjoberg said she preferred the district have a policy in place. “In my experience on the board, based on who the superintendent has been, it has been a little haphazard,” said Sjoberg. “No matter who is on the board or who is in the superintendent’s chair, the board could pick up an evaluation packet and have all the direction and instruction.”
“Whoever is at the table with the board, you’ll have a clear process,” added Oelke, who noted the process would have goals and standards and timelines including mid-year and end of the year evaluations.
