Thank you and good job. Those were the words used most often Monday night by Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School Board members and superintendent Dale Brungardt during the board’s monthly meeting in the commons of EJSHS and via Zoom.

During the Covid-19 crisis the district — like others around the state and country — have had to adapt to a new way of teaching and reaching out to students. In two short weeks, teachers found a way to teach beyond the traditional classroom. And, they have made sure no child is left behind by connecting via the internet, by providing packets for students and by taking the time to make personal phone calls to students at home.

All of this has not gone unnoticed. Board members said they have received numerous positive comments at what the teachers, principals and the district is doing during this trying time.

According to Brungardt, everyone in the district has stepped up to meet the challenge, from the food service crew making hundreds of meals each week for students to have at home, the custodians disinfecting each building, and nurse Bonnie (Peterman) keeping the district informed regarding the coronavirus. It has definitely been a team effort and everyone has gone above and beyond what has been expected, he said.

“It is tough right now, but there will be some good things come out of this in the future,” Brungardt predicted.

In other business:

• Payment to the Kansas Association of School Boards in the amount of $11,846.38 was approved. The amount includes $8,246.38 for dues, $2,100 for legal services, and $1,500 unlimited access to professional development.

• For capital outlay, it was approved to have the phone system at Kanopolis Middle School upgraded this summer at a cost of $11,000 in order to keep the capi tal outlay projects moving forward. If the district were to include the intercom system at the same time as was the original plan, the total amount would be over the $20,000 bid law and would require bids which are a problem right now due to Covid-19 restrictions. The district will plan to add the intercom in the summer of 2021, as well as installing new phones and intercom at Ellsworth Elementary School at the same time.

• After a 20-minute executive session, teaching contracts for Jordan Lahey as a kindergarten teacher and Courtney Berndt as 4th grade reading/writing teacher were approved as well as driver’s education contracts for Mike Keith and Eric Coonrod.

The resignation of Patrick Schroeder as EES principal was approved with thanks for his service. Schroeder’s resignation leaves the district with two open principal spots. Kanopolis Middle School principal Eric Stoddard was recently named superintendent of the Rawlins County school district for the 2020-21 year.