Due to the recent new guidelines on COVID-19 issued by Governor Reynolds, Eagle Grove Superintendent Jess Toliver presented the School Board with two separate proposals for mask mandates for the buildings.
“Our original idea was either a mask or shield,” said Toliver regarding the staff and student precautions. “We’re not throwing the shields away, but are now changing up our policy following the Governor’s announcement. Right now we currently have 90 percent of our students wearing masks instead of shields.”
A motion to approve a mask mandate for all students, staff and visitors whenever reasonable and possible carried. Attention then turned to the second part, which was a mask mandate for all indoor sports events. “With the numbers climbing I recommend it,” said Toliver. Director Aaron Parrott asked what other schools in the conference are doing. “Some of the schools have it (mask requirement at sports events), and some don’t,” Toliver replied. “I would say about half of our conference schools do not require masks.” “Enforcement of this is a pain, but we don’t have to let them in either (without one)”, said director Darren Robinson. With that, the vote on the motion was called for and it was also approved.
Superintendent Goals for 20-21 were reviewed and approved. Those include the areas of finance, education and leadership, and state such specifics as basing staff on projected numbers and in line with finances, meeting the needs of ELL students and demonstrating leadership through the pandemic as examples.
In other action the Board:
-approved the list of School Improvement Advisory Committee members for 20-21;
-approved the resignation of Daryl Roberts (bus driver), and contracts for Dan O’Hern (assistant baseball and a bus driver);
-approved an open enrollment for two students to the Iowa Virtual Academy, and unanimously voted no on a request for one student out to Webster City due to it being past the deadline. “My recommendation is to deny, as I’m not sure this is a door you want to open,” said Toliver in his comment on the consent agenda item prior to the vote.
