After considering the latest statistics on Covid cases, the Eureka Springs School Board restored the mask mandate which had been lifted two months ago.
Masks will be required for all students, staff, and visitors through the end of January. The board also established triggers for future mask requirements. The district will call for masks whenever positive cases exceed three percent, or more than 10 percent of the district are in quarantine.
The district has already exceeded those standards, and 25 students have currently tested positive for Covid. Another 92 are in quarantine. Board member Jayme Wildeman voted against the mandates, but all others voted in favor.
Maintenance Plant Manager Mike Dwyer gave his annual report on current facilities projects and future plans. The paving and drainage project at the high school is finished, and the second phase of the Elementary School remodel is also complete. The building trades class has just finished the outdoor classroom, except for the heat and air unit. The new soccer and track complex needs only some new grass in places.
The school has committed to some future projects, especially a new cafeteria to serve the middle and elementary schools. The school will replace all air-handling units that have not already been replaced. Dwyer said the new units will operate more efficiently and will mix some outside air into the system.
Looking further into the future, the district will continue to upgrade parking lots. Those at the elementary school would require a retaining wall and a lot of fill, but the district is delaying that project in case the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides a grant for a storm shelter, which would be constructed in that area.
In other business:
- High School Principal David Gilmore briefly explained the school’s policy for reviewing behavioral incidents. “We want them to look at what things get in the way of their success,” he said. Gilmore also said students have opportunities before and after school for additional tutoring. Eureka Springs will host the regional basketball tournament Feb. 23-25, and Gilmore said this gives home-court advantage to the Highlanders. The tournament will also bring additional visitors to town at an ordinarily slow time of year.
- Elementary Principal Clare Houser said the school has reinstated volunteer “jobs” for students, for the first time since the early days of the pandemic. Students can apply for a variety of positions. Houser said the staff is taking the necessary steps to prepare for a return to virtual learning, in case the Covid numbers continues to climb. “We want to be as ready as we can be for whatever comes our way,” she said. Elementary students can receive extra tutoring before and after school. Houser said a recent vaccination clinic saw good response, and she took the opportunity for a “shout-out to Nurse Meghan (Wolfinbarger) for all she’s done.”
- All seven board members attended, although Wildeman, Jason Morris, and Candace Spaulding attended through Zoom. This marked the first meeting in months with more than one board member attending virtually.
- The student population has grown, with an increase of some 20 students since Christmas. Pruitt attributed the increase to the improving economy in town.
- The board approved payments of $300 to staff members who have taken the Covid vaccine. Pruitt noted that the district encourages the shots but has not required them.
- The board members were reminded of the upcoming window to file for re-election. Those running for one of the newly created voting districts will have to compile signatures from voters in that district.