The Iuka Grade School Board Monday night took no action to change their earlier Return to School Plan that leaves masks as recommended but not required for students and staff.
Superintendent Sam Alli had invited parents to stay after an open house to discuss the school’s plan. 44 did. Six of the seven speakers wanted masks to be optional, while the seventh favored masks but felt students and staff should still have choice.
After the conversation, Alli said the board received no motion to change the earlier plan that left the masks as optional. The parents in attendance gave the board a standing ovation.
Alli did warn the situation was fluid and the school board may have to look at changes in its Return to School Plan if COVID-19 becomes a major issue in the school.
He says as students arrived to start the school year on Tuesday morning about 70 percent were not wearing masks. Alli says not requiring the masks will likely result in the school receiving a letter put them on probation and setting up a 60 day time frame to take corrective actions before the State Board of Education looks at removing the school’s accreditation.
In other action, the board named Derick Vincent part-time Dean of Students. He will continue to teach Junior High Math the rest of the day. In his new role of Dean of Students, Vincent will handle discipline issues and serve as a male role model to students who may be dealing with emotional or social problems.
The board also hired Travis Sanders of Centralia as Junior High Science and Elementary PE teacher. Sanders comes to Iuka Grade School from Centralia High School. Alli also noted the school’s new electronic sign board is now working.
