District preps for 2020-21 school year

Whitehall School District Officials have been busy in anticipation of the 2020-21 school year.

Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said a lot of planning has been in the works in conjunction with the Jefferson County Health Department – with the plans for a regular length school day.

Among the changes at the school at the start of school will include block scheduling for grades 6 to 12. According to Nieskens, kids would have three to four classes a day instead of seven with the length of the class changing from 50 minutes to 100.

Nieskens said they have hired an additional daytime custodian and will once again be having a school nurse position. She added the nurse would not only be working with the day to day needs of students and staff but will also act as a liaison between the district and the county health department.

Nieskens also addressed a change in the visitor policy in the school She said no visitors, including parents, will be allowed this school year.

"We've worked hard on having a welcoming environment, and this is a bit of challenge, but we will get through it.

As of last week, Nieskens reported the district has spent $123,000 extra to open this year which includes the two new employees, replacing tables with desks, cleaning and sanitizing equipment, and other supplies.