BLUE EARTH — The 2021 school year is winding down at Blue Earth Area and superintendent Mandy Fletcher had some updates for School Board members when they met Monday evening.

“With the easing of restrictions concerning COVID-19, we will be having our commencement ceremonies inside the gymnasium this year,” Fletcher said. “There will be no capacity restrictions and it will be open to the public. People attending the event will still be required to wear a mask while they are indoors at the school.”

Fletcher highlighted a couple of other dates on the school calendar.

“The final day of school for students in grades K-11 will be June 4,” she commented. “The last day for seniors is June 3. They will have graduation rehearsal on the morning of June 4 and commencement will be on June 6, at 2 p.m.”

Fletcher said it appears the legislature will need a special session to finish their business.

“We still do not know what things will look like this fall,” she explained. “It is unknown whether distance learning will be required or optional. Distance learning, in the form of an online academy, will be very tough for our district, and districts of a similar size to BEA, to facilitate.”

Fletcher shared the school buildings had been tested for radon and the results were good.

In other business:

— A vote was passed to terminate the contract of Autumn Marlatt, a member of the non-certified staff.

— The resignations of paraprofessionals Sam Lee, Erica Sunde-Nowak and Kelli Steier were accepted.

— The resignation of middle school English teacher Hannah Brower was accepted.

— Board members approved two new hires, TJ Schmidtke and Blake Boran, as elementary teachers.