Good morning. As you may have heard, the Iowa Legislature passed HF847 on Wednesday evening, a law prohibiting schools from establishing an expectation that students, staff, or visitors wear a mask while on school property, at school activities, or in school vehicles.
According to the Des Moines Register, “Leaders of Iowa school districts cannot require students or staff to wear masks, and Iowa cities and counties cannot impose mask mandates, under a law Gov. Kim Reynolds signed.” The law goes into effect immediately.
Based on that legislation, families and individual staff members may now choose whether or not they or their child will wear a mask at school, on school property, and on school transportation.
We appreciate, very much, the patience and willingness that so many of you have exhibited over the course of the past several months, and specifically, in the past few days, as we navigated updated guidance and changing conditions.
Please be kind to and tolerant of colleagues, peers, families, and neighbors as they make a decision about wearing or not wearing a mask that best fits their circumstance. As a district, we are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment that honors the opportunity for choice established by HF847.
For some of you, you may know exactly how you’ll respond to this newfound responsibility and choice, and for others, it may take a bit of time to decide what strategy fits your situation and level of comfort best. Take your time to make a decision if you need to, and if you change your mind from day-to-day or situation-to-situation, we get it. As parents or caregivers, please feel free to share this with your child and guide them as you see fit.
Thanks for your support through the school year.
Sincerely,
Larry Hunt, Superintendent
Carl Chalstrom, School Board President
