Return-to-Learn plan tops MAC board agenda
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The district’s Return-to-Learn plan and personnel decisions topped the action items at the Monday, August 9 regular meeting of the Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors.
Return-to-Learn
The Return-to-Learn plan for 2021-2022 looks very similar to last year’s, with a handful of notable exceptions.
In keeping with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ edict prohibiting mask mandates, the district can only recommend the wearing of masks inside buildings. The ultimate choice to wear a mask will be left up to parents. Masks will be made available to those who want them.
District superintendent Jason Shaffer explained the district will offer 100 percent in-person learning with no option for remote attendance unless required for illness or quarantine. Parents may choose to homeschool their students if they disagree with the 100 percent in-person arrangement.
Shaffer added a social distance of three feet will be maintained in classrooms when practical and the sharing of supplies and devices will be kept to a minimum.
Another part of the Return-to-Learn plan focused on increased air filtration in district buildings.
The board approved the purchase of 65 larger air filtration units for classroom/large space use at a cost of $1,299 each. Another 25 smaller units for offices/small spaces will cost $890 each.
The district will utilize federal dollars to cover the cost of the units.
Shaffer said he and building administrators are currently working to update the district’s website devoted to COVID information.
Personnel
The board covered several items related to personnel.
New hires included Hannah Dentlinger as assistant coach for volleyball and girls basketball. Dentlinger was originally slated as a volunteer assistant, but due to the large number of girls reporting out for volleyball, the decision was made to move Dentlinger to a paid assistant position.
Other new hires included associates Heidi Albaugh and Jackie Verbick.
Current staff members adding new duties include Tracy Giles as a teacher mentor at the elementary and elementary principal Chris Elwood as Junior Raiders supervisor and summer school coordinator.
The board accepted resignations from Tara Rush as Junior Raider supervisor, Tessa Rinehart as middle school softball coach, and Christine Still as an associate.
A long list of volunteer assistant coaches were approved at Monday’s meeting:
Football – Brad Elliott and James Smith
Wrestling – Marcus Daughton and Kevin Trullinger
Bowling – Mike Zarr
Track – Bill Huntington
Softball – Ryan Reynolds
Cross country – Amanda Waske
Strength and conditioning – Brad Elliott
Sparks – Jill Weehler, Amy Levine, Kylie Hensley, and Ryann Martin.
Other business
In other business the board:
• increased adult breakfasts and lunches 10 cents.
• approved an agreement with the Southwest Iowa Apex Consortium to furnish special needs services that the district is unable to provide.
• approved the agreement with MATURA Headstart.
• heard reports from elementary principal Elwood and 7-12 principal Bill Huntington of a larger than expected enrollments at both buildings.
Elwood remarked that the influx of new students in his building may be the largest he has seen in his time at Mount Ayr.
