RIVERSIDE

When school begins August 23 for Highland Community students, masks may be as common as books, pencils and homework assignments.

Schools Superintendent Ken Crawford said at the school board’s meeting on Monday, August 9, that masks will be recommended on bus transportation to and from school. He steered clear of making it a requirement in Monday’s discussion among board members.

“You should wear masks on buses,” he said. “We have one for you if you need one.”

Masks are encouraged in school, as well, along with vaccinations for students 12-and-over. Legislation signed into law in May by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds prohibits school districts from requiring masks to be worn by students, teachers and staff on school property.

Crawford said the district will follow guidelines set by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

“I just want to start to get going,” Crawford told the board. “I don’t want to stir, I don’t want to fight, I just want to see people in school. I think kids are ready … they’re ready to get back.”

Covid precautions will be in place, including social distancing.

“We’re going to encourage, stay home if you’re sick, cover your mouth, wash your hands,” he said.

If new Covid mandates are set in place, Crawford said the district is prepared with optional school plans.

“We have hybrid in our pocket, we have remote in our pocket, we have everything ready to go,” Crawford said. “If something happens on September 15, ‘All right, we’ve got to do this,’ we’re going to go back to what we did last year.”

In the last week, the Covid positivity rate in Washington County has risen to 11.11%, making it a “high risk” county in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.

“If the delta variant is strong and it’s as dangerous as they say, we could have something very different,” Crawford said.

The board approved a pay rate increase of $1.50 per hour for bus drivers transporting students to and from athletic and other activities. The new hourly rate is $15.

“I feel like we’re taking care of people,” Crawford said.

Crawford and the board also agreed on accepting bids for the district’s snow clearing and grass mowing contracts in September with a deadline of October 1. Contractors will have the option of bidding for snow removal work at the secondary school and elementary school separately, or as one bundle.

Election day on November 2 will include the election of school board members. The deadline for candidates to turn in applications, with a minimum of 30 signatures, is September 16 at 5 p.m.. The opening day for applications is August 23.

The board consists of president Nate Robinson and six district members.

A number of new appointments approved by the board included John Black, school counselor, and Ashlee Fisher, drill team advisor, and pending appointments of Patricia Britt, elementary associate, and Casey Halligan, secondary school social studies teacher.