Greene County students are getting a reprieve from wearing face masks for the entire school day, but not until the potential for increased rates of Covid-19 after spring break travel has passed.
The Greene County Schools board approved a motion at its March 10 meeting to move from “red” to “yellow” on the mask matrix effective April 6. Students will need to wear a mask when they aren’t able to maintain a 6-foot social distance from each other. Teachers will have authority in their own classrooms to determine when students must wear masks.
Discussion of face masks again took up considerable time, and once again it was board member Catherine Wilson who raised the issue. She opened discussion of ending the everywhere, all the time mandate at the January and February meetings as well.
Wilson said that teachers created the matrix, and that following the positivity rates set in the matrix, the district should be at “green,” not requiring masks at all. The matrix has not worked well, as it allows for different requirements in each building and possible day-to-day changes. School staff realized during the fall, as Covid numbers started to increase, that a blanket mandate for a set period of time would be easier for everyone.
Wilson said at the March 10 meeting she wasn’t asking to end mask wearing all together, but to allow students to be barefaced when they can social distance. “Kids need hope. The don’t want to be stuck in masks the rest of their lives… I’m begging for our kids. At some point we have to think what’s going to happen in the future to our kids, with their mental health, with their physical health,” she said.
Board member Steve Fisher said many families want to move to a “less restrictive situation.” “There are a lot of concerns about kids and their social and emotional welfare,” he said, and he came prepared with statistics from the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC, according to Fisher, has said that in the 13-18 years age group there has been a 118 percent higher incidence of overdose, a 94 percent increase in anxiety, and an 84 percent increase in depression since the pandemic began.
“I know there are people that feel strongly on this issue,” Fisher said. “Our job is to assess everyone’s view and then come to a compromise somehow.”
Greene County public health director Becky Wolf attended via the school’s YouTube livestream. She said that county-wide, only 10 percent of residents have been vaccinated against Covid-19. She recommended students wear masks through the end of the school year. “I know people feel like they’ve worn masks for a long time,” she said. “It’s been a long time for healthcare workers, too. We have to do everything we can to help healthcare workers get through this by decreasing cases and exposure.”
Superintendent Tim Christensen said staff were slated to receive their second dose of the vaccine on March 12. Students and staff are on spring break now through March 21. April 5, the day after Easter, is a staff-only day. Continuing full masking through April 6 will provide two full weeks after spring break to get past any increases due to travel, as well as allow staff vaccines to become effective.
That motion was approved 4-0. Director Mike Dennhardt was absent.
The board held a public hearing on the 2021-22 school calendar. No comments were heard or received and the board approved the calendar as presented. The calendar names Aug. 23, 2021, as the first attendance day for K-12 students. The last day for students in grades K-8 will be May 20, 2022, with high school students going another week to May 27.
The board approved ratifying the 2021-22 negotiated contract with the Greene County Education Association. The base pay for an inexperienced, first year teacher with a bachelor’s degree will increase from $32,375 to $32,760. All salaries are based on that figure. The new contract increased the “step” teachers receive for longevity from 3 to 3.5 percent. The total cost to the district will add $244,644 to salaries compared to the current year. That’s a 2.9995 percent increase. Board member Steve Fisher abstained from voting as his wife teaches for the district.
Wage increases were also approved for non-teaching staff. Bus drivers are in the third year of a three-year contract and will receive a 2.2 percent increase. Nutrition staff will receive a 3.5 percent increase and other classified staff will see a 3 percent increase. Administrative will receive a total package increase of 2.99 percent. Christensen requested an increase in vacation days in lieu of a salary increase.
The board heard a budget presentation at the work session preceding the regular meeting, and then heard a brief synopsis at the regular meeting. The proposed budget includes a property tax rate of $14.549 (per $1,000 of taxable valuation). That’s a decrease from the current year’s levy, which is $14.66.
During the work session, Christensen reminded the board how little control it has over the district budget, as much of it is dictated by the state.
A public hearing on the 2021-22 certified budget will be held at a special meeting Monday, April 12, at 5:15 pm at the board room at the middle school, 101 Ram Drive, Jefferson.
The board accepted a bid of $46,763 from Rimol Greenhouse Systems for a new greenhouse at the high school. The 24’ X 36’ single bay Matterhorn greenhouse will have a snow load of 50 pounds and a wind load of 105 mph. Students in the construction program will assemble the greenhouse. A portion of the cost will come from a Regional Planning Partnership grant.
The board continues to see change orders on both the new high school and the repurposing of the former high school as a middle school. The board approved change orders totaling $56,151 for the middle school and $96,168 for the high school/career academy. Both projects are still within budget.
The board approved revisions to the policy for community use of school facilities. Community organizations and individuals can still use school facilities, but they must pay a $250 deposit when making the reservation and provide proof of insurance.
The fee schedule for building usage is not changed. Public agencies and government units, as well as civic organizations with at least 75 percent of its membership being residents of the school district, will not be required to pay a room fee, but they may be charged fees for custodians, athletic field prep, sound/lights, etc. Fees must be paid within 30 days of the event or activity. Renters are responsible for repair or replacement of any equipment damaged during use.
The board also approved revisions to the policy dealing with classified staff vacations, holidays and personal leave. Under the revisions, bus drivers and nutrition staff will receive the same number of paid holidays and other personal days as other classified staff.
The board accepted the low bid lawn fertilizer from Raccoon Valley Lawn Care. The bid was $29,964 for the 2021 season.
