The South Tama County Community School District will keep the mask mandate through the end of the school year. Two kindergarten students Harper Feisel and Jaxsyn Behounek are seen wearing their masks.

Update: Wednesday evening Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law making it illegal for schools to mandate masks stating the state of Iowa is putting parents back in control of their child’s education and taking greater steps to protect the rights of all Iowans to make their own health care decisions. Cities and counties may not require masks be worn in businesses as of Thursday morning.

South Tama has decided to keep their mask mandate in effect through the end of the school year.

This means students and staff will be required to wear a mask for the remaining nine days of the school year.

The discussion spurred from the CDC’s guidance to lift mask mandates for vaccinated adults when outside and in most inside situations. A few days after the guidance was announced the CDC gave some clarification for schools which basically said schools should remain masked as many students have not been eligible for vaccinations yet.

The STC school board had roughly a 30 minute conversation Monday evening surrounding masking and summer COVID-19 policies.

Several different options were discussed including lifting the mandate or allowing parents to decide for their children if they should wear a mask to school.

Superintendent Jared Smith suggested keeping things the way they are for the next nine days and revisit the topic at the next board meeting.

The board was split in the decision but ultimately decided to keep things the way they are.

Summer school is set to begin June 7. The mask mandate will be discussed at a board meeting that evening.

Graduation ceremonies will be held outside this Sunday. Masks are encouraged but not required for attendees. Masks will be required for students and staff.

Dance Team

A new activity was approved by the board. A dance team will be formed for the 2021-22 school year. Dance had begun as a club in the 2019-20 school year. Due to COVID dance was put on hold for a year.

Activities Director, Anthony Jahr, proposed making it an activity with a paid coaching contract. Groups that are considered activities versus clubs have different rules. The contract is a level three contract which is around $2,700.

“My goal for this program is to become a competitive group,” Jahr said.

Jahr also would like to see the program run through fall and winter.

Wamac Conference

Ticket prices are going up for WaMaC conference events. Currently tickets are $5 for adults and $5 for students. Adults will go up to $6. Middle school ticket prices for adults will go from $3 to $5. Middle School students will remain at $2. The reason for the increase is because the price for officials goes up every year and the WaMaC hasn’t raised their prices for $10. It will take effect in the fall.

Personnel

Resignations:

Dina Keahna, Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Debora Kern, Elementary Food Service

Cheyenne Rucker, Elementary Para

New Hires:

Allisyn Wellman, 6th Grade Teacher (Middle School)

Jerrod Bridgewater, Head 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach

Dina Keahna, Head High School Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

In other business

The board approved a contract for athletic trainer services from Select Physical Therapy. Anthony Jahr expressed some concern as the cost of athletic training services will be going up in the State of Iowa in the next three years. The state has changed the requirements and athletic trainers must have a Masters degree. Schools cannot opt out and trainers are required for most home events.

Thespian Leadership Day was approved to be hosted at the High School Aug. 7. The day is a statewide event to train Thespians to be leaders for their chapters all across Iowa. Luis Avalos is STC’s chapter president and is also a State Thespian Officer. He recently moved from advocacy chair to a different leadership role. According to Dixie Forcht the day would be a good opportunity for Avalos particularly to showcase his leadership skills.

The board approved a sharing agreement with Meskwaki Settlement Schools for baseball and softball. This will be dependent upon interest from Meskwaki athletes. The addition of athletes to STC’s softball team could push the Trojans into Class 4A competition.

The 2021-22 iJag continuation contract was approved for 11th and 12th graders.

A purchase was approved for a new mower for the maintenance department.

The board approved a budget amendment