School has been in session for nearly a month now and Superintendent of the Carroll Community School District, Dr. Casey Berlau, says they have had a good start, but they have had some positive COVID cases among students and staff members.
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The recent overruling by a federal judge of the state’s law banning mask mandates in schools has some Iowa districts bringing back the requirements. At this time, Berlau says there are no discussions taking place about bringing it back to Carroll Community.
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District reporting of COVID cases is also much different this year. Berlau says last year, they would report cases to Carroll County Public Health for contact tracing. This tracing is not going on to that extent anymore and the accuracy is in question because some are testing and some are not. The district is relying on students and staff members to report any cases and positives will be required to remain at home for 10 days. Families are asked to monitor symptoms of other members of the household and quarantine as necessary. Masks may not be mandated in the schools, but they are on the buses and Berlau says they knew going in this would create problems.
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He says the burden of enforcement will not fall on the drivers.
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Berlau reminds parents and guardians that they can help with the mask requirement by reminding the kids they must wear one and they must keep it on the entire time they are on the vehicle.