Mueller dealing with COVID in the schools and at home

In the midst of trying to run a school district during a global pandemic, Havre Public Schools Interim Superintendent Craig Mueller recently experienced COVID-19 firsthand.

Mueller said he has been tested for the virus four times and the last time he tested positive and was quarantined in the basement at his home. 

"I was not hospitalized, which I am very thankful for," Mueller said. 

Mueller said he experienced an extended fever and various other symptoms at one time or another over the course of eight days. His family was able to care for him through the illness.

"I do feel lucky to have recovered and be back to work," he said.

A day in the life of the Interim-Superintendent

A typical day for Mueller includes visiting all five schools and talking with teachers, some students and the administrators, he said. Returning phone calls and emails also take up a big part of his day, however, he feels both are extremely necessary to ensure communication is delivered to the stakeholders.

"Each day brings different challenges, and some of those challenges present new solutions that take can take time to implement," he said.

Before COVID 19, Mueller was the assistant superintendent for Havre Public Schools and Havre High School principal before that.

In the superintendent's office, he worked in personnel, curriculum and instruction. He also worked as the district testing coordinator and organized professional development for the district. 

Since COVID 19, he has been fortunate to work with excellent staff across the district, he said. 

"The job itself is a great honor," Mueller said. "The staff at Robins Administration has been absolutely wonderful to work with during the transition and through these tough times for our students, their families and the school community as a whole."

The logistic and emotional effects of COVID-19

Mueller's job title changed from assistant superintendent to interim superintendent amidst the COVID 19 pandemic after former Superintendent Andy Carlson retired effective July 1. The Havre school board appointed Mueller interim superintendent June 30.

An excellent support staff and his wife, Highland Park Early Primary School kindergarten teacher Emylee, and daughters, kindergartner Grace and 2-year-old Everlee, have made the transition easier, he said. Being able to communicate with other school leaders across the Hi-Line and throughout the state, who are all experiencing similar situations, has also helped him on this journey, he said. 

This is an extremely trying time for staff members as well, Mueller said. The end goal is the same for everyone, to return to a traditional schedule for all the students at Havre Public Schools.

The Havre district is following a hybrid "A/B" model with half the in-class students at the schools Monday and Wednesday, the others Tuesday and Thursday, and Fridays set for distanced learning only.

It appears that students are wearing masks when they cannot be socially distanced, Mueller said. Changes are difficult for everyone, but the A/B model has provided some consistency for student's versus having everyone return to a full week schedule and then having to transition to remote learning and back again, he said. 

There are schools across the state that have had to endure those inconsistent schedules and have struggled to remain open for face-to-face instruction, he said. 

The Havre district itself started with the hybrid model but went back to distanced learning for two weeks in October due to increasing case numbers in the county and in the schools. It has remained in the hybrid model since that two-week period ended.

Social distancing in the classroom has been well-organized by teachers and building administrators, Mueller said. 

"They have been making adjustments throughout the entire year to ensure student safety as best as possible," he said.

Misinformation

People get information from different sources and not everyone agrees on what a reliable source is, Mueller said. 

"The decisions we have made as a school district have been done, we believe, in the best interest of our staff and students," he said. 

The pandemic is fluid, and more information is given daily; the CDC guidelines have changed several times as more information is made available by the scientific community, he said.

"We take comments from the community, staff and students into account with every decision we make, not just during the pandemic. These decisions are difficult because not every individual, family, or social circle is likely to agree with the results of any decision they do not agree with," Mueller said. 

The holidays and safety for staff and students

Worry exists about the holidays' impact on staff and students, Mueller said. He has heard some students are falling behind, however, some students are thriving in this environment, he said. 

Mueller said he firmly believes in the advice and guidance that has been given through the Hill County Health Department and the local medical community. Wearing masks when in public places and maintaining six feet of distance are two precautions that can be practiced in both the school and community to help keep students and staff safe, he said.

Day-to-day stress and pressure from the community

Stress has come with the unknown, the anticipated first positive case in the district, and to where the district is today, Mueller said. 

"Staying optimistic and remaining focused on the goal of providing a top-notch education for our students helps to keep the target where it needs to be, on our students," he said.

Students returning to a safe learning environment, where learning can take place without the fear of getting sick or being quarantined, is the goal for Havre Public Schools, he said. 

"It could be a long time before that day comes," Mueller added. "Making the best of this situation has shown me that students are resilient, they are strong, and they want to be at school, knowing there is so much more to school than the instruction and learning.

"The social-emotional condition of our students is something we have been talking about through our Havre Trauma Sensitive Schools Initiative for years," he continued. "It is important that we don't shy away from the conversations with each other about our own mental condition.

"I told the staff at the beginning of the year, that now, more than ever, our students need support and encouragement from our staff. It's equally important for our staff to be able to emotionally support one another," he said.

Mueller said he appreciates a community that is passionate about the education of their children, however, the decision to return to in-person learning is not only his.

"These decisions very rarely rest in the hands of one individual, and we have a school board that has been openly criticized for making decisions based on what they know, the conversations they have, and the recommendations that are made to them," Mueller said. "I guess I am more concerned about our school board and the unseen pressures that they face, rather than the difficulty of the superintendent position."