The Greene County School Board recently approved the reopening plans for the district this fall to ensure as much safety as possible against COVID-19.

There are several precautions in place including parents monitoring the health of their child and if they are experiencing symptoms of the virus to keep them home from school and contact the district. If a student or staff member shows signs of the virus, they will be sent home and anyone who tests positive will be asked to stay home for 14 days. Additionally, masks will be encouraged but not required for students, staff and visitors. Superintendent Tim Christensen explains why the district chose not to require masks.

“I think there’s a lot of concerns and issues of whether younger students can properly wear them, whether donning and doffing of masks, all of that. If people don’t do that properly they’re more of a problem than they are a help.”

Other precautions are basic first aid kits in each classroom to reduce the number of students going to the school nurse for routine issues, installing plexiglass shields in the libraries and offices, shutting off water fountains and not allowing parents, visitors or volunteers past the main office areas. Christensen notes they have been and will continue to be in contact with Greene County Public Health. He adds, these precautions could change in the future depending on additional guidance from health officials and the Iowa Department of Education.