Masks Not Required In CCR-1 School Buildings

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By Mike Scott

When Clark County R-1 Students return to classes next Monday, August 23, masks will not be required in the classrooms.

“We are not going to require students to wear masks, except on the buses,” said Superintendent Dr. Ritchie Krach. “That’s a federal rule, and we don’t have any authority to change that.”

On Thursday evening, August 12, the CCR-1 school board voted not to require masks during their regular August meeting.

“We will still be under the quarantine guidelines of 15 minutes or more of close contact (within 6 feet) with a person who tests positive. The elementary buildings and Indian Pride Learning Center will continue the cohort model to reduce the amount of individuals who may be exposed to a person testing positive,” said Kracht.

“Anyone is welcome to wear a mask if they choose to,” said Kracht.

The district will follow protocols similar to those set up last year, and start the year under their “Green” standard.

“Our number one priority is to keep our kids and staff safe, and keep our doors open so our kids can learn,” added Kracht.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the board held its public hearing to establish the annual tax rate. The board left its general revenue fund levy at $2.75 per $100 of assessed valuation, which is the same rate as it has been for many years. The board also set its debt service levy at $0.75 per $100 of assessed valuation.

“We could be $0.9988, but we always roll it back to $0.75,” said Kracht. “It provides more than enough for what we need.”

The school board also discussed Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds from the federal government. The district previously received $242,676 in ESSER 1 funds. In a second round of funding, they are slated to receive roughly an additional $1.13 million, which they have not yet received. In ESSER 3 funds, the school will get about $2.5 million, 20 percent, or $502,834 needs to be used for tutoring, technology for interrupted services, online curriculum purchases, professional development and credit recovery.

The district has until later this month to submit a plan to spend these funds. That plan, however, can be amended at a later date.

“They think HVAC and air quality are really important,” said Kracht. The district is looking a plans to update the HVAC systems at both elementary schools with the funds, which total $3,144,260

“We have until 2024 to spend the money,” Kracht said.

Kracht also reported that the district has been able to fill all the open school bus driver positions, and that no routes needed to be combined.

“I really didn’t think that would happen,” said Kracht. “I’m pleasantly surprised.”

The district will also resume in-town school bus stops. On its Facebook page, the district said:

“Clark County R-1 School District has established several bus pick-up and drop-off locations in the city of Kahoka. The locations are spread throughout the city to assure that no student will have to walk more than 3-4 blocks to reach either a bus stop or school. The goals of the added bus stops are to reduce car traffic around the schools and to provide a safer route to school for walkers.

The buses will normally arrive at the bus pick-up locations between 7:50 to 8:00 A.M. These times could vary a few minutes either way depending on weather conditions and last minute changes on students riding in the morning. The busses will not come back to pick-up students so please arrive early. The buses will drop students off after school prior to leaving town. This will occur from approximately 3:30 to 3:40 P.M.

Parents must notify the buildings which pick-up and drop-off their children will utilize. In the morning, the buses will stop at the pick-up locations and pick-up all students waiting for the bus. In the afternoon, the bus will stop at the drop-off area and students will get off. The bus will not wait for parents at the drop-off area. It is the parent’s responsibility to be at the drop-off area if young children need assistance walking home. Any student that creates a discipline problem at the bus stop or on the bus will lose the privilege to ride the bus and will face school disciplinary action.

The bus will pull up to the corners of the designated stops. The bus cannot wait for students that are not at the stop because of backing up traffic. The pick-up and drop-off locations are listed below by street address and with a landmark when available:

SW Kahoka

A. Morgan St. and W. Cedar St. (Laundromat)

B. W. Exchange St. and S. Sandte St. (St. Michael’s Catholic Church)

C. Fire Department

D. Sandte St. & W. Cedar St. (corner)

E. Exchange St. & Cleveland St. (Alber Livestock Center)

F. Main St. & Sheldon St. (Kahoka Crossing Apartments)

NW Kahoka

A. N. Cleveland St. and W. College St. (Nixon apartments/ City Park)

B. West St. & Westwood St. (corner)

C. Ackland St. & W. Clark St. (corner)

D. Garfield St. & West St. (Beckerts Self Storage)

E. Elm St. & Johnson St. (new Green Valley parking lot)

F. Morgan St. & Clark St. (Presbyterian Church)

G. Black Hawk

NE Kahoka

A. Lincoln St. and E. Chestnut St. (Wiss & Wiss)

B. Lincoln St. & Maple St. (Jason Brown Automotive)

C. Clark St. & Montgomery St. (Trinity Worship Church)

SE Kahoka

A. East Gate Apartments

B. Thompson St. & Walnut St.

C. High School”

In other business, the board approved MSBA policy updates, the SPED DESE Compliance plan, and the Dual Credit Agreement with Moberly Area Community College

Classes at Clark County R-1 Schools will start on Monday, August 23.