Education Notebook: Districts Hold Different Views about 2021-22 Calendar, Sturgeon Bay High School Hires New Principal

During a year when teachers are working with both remote learners and students in the classrooms, school administrators, educators and board members continue to formulate plans for the 2021-22 school year. That includes determining whether – or to what extent – to continue offering synchronous learning options for remote and on-site learners.

“The world may look different in the summer or fall,” said Sevastopol Superintendent Kyle Luedtke.

At Southern Door, outgoing Superintendent Patricia Vickman said that “considerations for a return to school as it was pre-pandemic are still not known, due to the ongoing conditions of the pandemic.” She said students who have chosen in the past to enroll in the Southern Door Rural Virtual Academy School can reenroll.

Superintendent Dan Tjernagel and educators in Sturgeon Bay continue to calculate which options to make available for the next school year.

“Just as last spring looked different from this year, aspects of next year should look different from this year as we dial in on what is and is not working well when it comes to learning and the overall development of young people,” Tjernagel said.

New Principal for Sturgeon Bay

An administrator with degrees in marketing education and educational leadership, a doctorate from Cardinal Stritch University, and experience as a principal at Sun Prairie is coming to Sturgeon Bay to serve as the next high school principal. 

The Sturgeon Bay School Board unanimously approved hiring Keith Nerby to fill the position that will open June 30, when Bob Nickel retires after 15 years of service to the district.

Superintendent Dan Tjernagel said Sun Prairie’s superintendent, Brad Naron – a Sturgeon Bay High School (SBHS) alumnus – discussed how Sun Prairie’s loss will be SBHS’s gain.

In recommending the hire “from a strong pool of candidates,” Tjernagel told the school board: “Brad mentioned examples of the specialized training Keith has [and] some of the unique challenges that he and Keith have had to work through in that community with the passing of the $174 million referendum that involved a brand-new high school, moving the district from one to two high schools next year, secondary-level redistricting, reopening challenges associated with being in Dane County and more. Brad also shared that Keith is very aware of the importance of culture, is passionate about equity, and that he hates to see him go.”

2021-22 School Calendars

Sevastopol: With school construction wrapping up at Sevastopol, students will report to classes Sept. 7, the Tuesday after Labor Day. Teachers will gear up for school during in-service duty the week before Labor Day. Spring break is set for March 21-25, 2022; and the 2021-22 school year will end June 10, 2022.

Southern Door: Classes will start Sept. 1. New teachers will report to school Aug. 17-19, and all teachers will report Aug. 24-26 and Aug. 30-31. Southern Door students don’t have a weeklong spring break. Their last day of school is set for May 27, 2022.

Sturgeon Bay: Despite construction at two school sites, Sturgeon Bay will not push back the opening of the school year. School will start Sept. 1 for students, and the August schedule for teachers will be similar to Southern Door’s schedule. Sturgeon Bay students’ last day of school is planned for June 2, 2022.Gibraltar: Continuing its outreach during a year of debate about closed classrooms and a transition to in-person learning, Gibraltar’s school board sought parents’ input at a meeting this week (March 22) on the 2021-22 calendar and other concerns. Forty-two parents participated, and 14 asked questions ranging from whether the district would build in snow days if virtual options remain available, as well as extra time for students who have fallen behind in reading and math.