As Washington County sits at a high level of COVID-19 community transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Washington Community School Board discussed their mitigation plans for the upcoming school year Wednesday.
Superintendent Willie Stone shared that as Governor Kim Reynolds banned local governments and school districts from enacting their own mask mandates, masks will be optional during the school day, except for school transportation as they are following the federal executive order that requires masks be worn on public transportation. Stone said that since the pandemic response is over according to the governor they will not be providing a virtual option for students, and those who need a different option can enroll in the district’s Home School Assistance Program. While they will no longer be contact tracing, Stone asks that if your student is home from school for any reason to let the office secretary or building nurse know the reason why, “Let’s say we have four kids show up in one class with COVID, that’s a time where we may call parents and say, ‘Hey, we just want to give you a heads up. This is what’s going on if your child’s feeling sick, this is why.’ We’re just trying to stay on top of that as best as possible, our hands are somewhat tied with what we can do.”
The district will continue all of their cleaning mitigation and water fountains will remain turned off with filling stations available. Visitors will be allowed in the buildings this year, and Stone mentioned that if things change rapidly with COVID-19, these plans will change rapidly to meet the needs and safety of students. Mitigation plans were sent to parents Thursday along with K-12 guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health. You can find the state update below.