H-D approves 2021-22 calendar, but Spring Break may be reconsidered

The Hampton-Dumont Community School Board approved the 2021-22 school calendar during their regular meeting on Monday, May 17. However, the calendar may need to be amended before the next school year starts.

A week of Spring Break was included into the calendar between March 14-18, however that decision was made when it seemed like the state legislature would allow schools to use virtual learning on snow days.

"We thought there was traction on virtual learning, but that bill died," said Superintendent Todd Lettow.

With it looking like the state will not allow schools to hold virtual classes during snow days, any missed days would have to be made up at the end of the year. This means, in all likelihood, the school year will be extended from the tentative May 27 end date into early June.

The calendar committee will discuss whether to keep Spring Break in the calendar or to bank those days.

Regardless, the next school year will begin on August 24.

Also looking towards next year, Principal Steve Madson discussed next year's incoming freshmen class, noting that the high school building is going to be struggling for space as larger middle school classes move into the building.

"Size wise, we're bursting at the seams," said Madson. Staff in the building will be feeling the squeeze as rooms previously reserved for office space or staff lunches will need to be utilized to serve the students.

The district's new E-Sports team won't have to worry about the space constraints though. Middle School Anthony Spradlin reported that the E-Sports team is ready to set up in the middle school building. The board approved E-Sports as a school sport for 2021-22, along with the investment of $24,060 in computer gear and accessories to get the team started, which will be paid for out of two different funds. The next step in the process will be to find some E-Sport coaches.

In other business, the board approved support staff contracts for 2021-22 with a 1.3% increase in compensation, mirroring that of the teacher's contracts.

The board also discussed the traffic situation in southeast Hampton, with it being reported that some drivers have been videoed doing rolling stops as they leave for their routes. These drivers have been talked to and the bus route has been changed to direct them directly to the highway.

Finally, the board approved the creation of an assistant position for the Bulldog TV program. With Bulldog TV's coverage increasing over the last two years to include nearly every event in the school, the necessity of an assistant position is becoming more apparent. The newly created position will be compensated similarly to an assistant coach.