South Central School Superintendent Kerry Herdes says the district will start the school year with the COVID-19 protocol they ended the last school year. He updated the school board at Wednesday night’s meeting.
“Obviously we are mask optional. We are making sure we are using common sense. If the kids are sick keep them home. If we do have someone who is Covid positive and parents touch base with us we will send the kid home and follow protocol and alert families, but we are going to put that decision process in the hands of the family.”
Herdes says the policy will put them in compliance with the lawsuit brought against them and more than 140 school districts that ruled against the masking requirements of the State Board of Education. He reports the ruling of the court became final two weeks ago when no appeal was made by the state.
Herdes says like many other school districts they are finding it difficult fill all openings.
“It’s concerned with us. Currently we have a Spanish Teacher open, band director, drivers ed/health position open. We are trying to recruit those individuals as best we can, but it’s getting close to the end of July so we are going to do the best we can to fill those positions somehow.”
Herdes says they may have to look at shifting of some staff.
The board agreed to raise substitute teacher pay. Regular sub pay will increase from $96 a day to $125. Retired South Central teachers who return to sub will be paid $150 a day.
The board approved a one year fuel bid from South Central FS, a milk bid from Kohl’s Wholesale, and a produce bid from S and L Produce. Herdes was pleased to get bids on food products due to rapidly rising costs, but they both contain a daily escalator to pass on any price increases to the school district.
In personnel action, the board approved Alex Phillips as Assistant High School Softball Coach and Middle School Softball Coach. Jamie Tockstein was hired as a non-certified employee.
