Hallsville school board approves updated COVID-19 guidelines

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify when visitor access may be limited

HALLSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Hallsville Board of Education voted Wednesday night to approve the district's updated plan for a safe return amid COVID-19.

According to the districts plan, Hallsville schools will not require masks this year, but recommends them when transmission levels are high.

School staff will focus mainly on sanitizing and cleaning classrooms, and students are encouraged to avoid gathering in large groups.

School lunch prices will return to normal and the district may limit certain visitors on campus during high transmission levels.

If a student or employee has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is recommended that students and employees wear a mask at school for 10 days after exposure. Families may decide to self-quarantine students at their discretion.

On Aug. 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its pandemic response guidelines, including guidelines for school. The district's revised plan includes feedback from stakeholders, guidance from the Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, and guidance from the CDC.

Significant changes include:

• Elimination of contact tracing in schools and school activities
• Elimination of required quarantines for students and staff who were in close contact with a positive case
• Elimination of stable cohort expectations
• Elimination of social distancing expectations

The board also updated its four-day school week transition plans for 2022-2023.

The report includes survey results from the middle school and staff on if they are in favor of Monday remediation.

The school week will be Tuesday through Friday, with students and staff "off" on most Mondays. The remediation day would basically be a day off, but students that needed extra instruction could seek it out from teachers on that Monday.

According to the report, 10 teachers responded to the survey and seven were in favor of extra Monday remediation and three indicated no remediation was needed. Seven high school teachers expressed interest and five middle school teachers express interest in providing Monday remediation.

At the high school, departments were able to discuss the remediation at the March PLC day. Several departments noted remediation was needed it.

At the elementary level, remediation would likely take place in the morning 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Approximately 10 current staff members have expressed interest in providing instruction to students.

A suggestion was made to offer an extended contract to teachers who elect to offer remediation for students.

The district’s intention is to ensure that all staff maintain their current annual wages and benefits.

Over the past decade, over 100 schools throughout the state have transitioned to a four-day workweek.