Taking away local control ‘frustrating’

MT. PLEASANT - As coronavirus cases continue to climb in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a new executive proclamation mandating face coverings in a variety of public settings, including winter high school sporting events.

The directive from the governor, that is in effect until Nov. 30, outlined a new set of rules for school districts to follow in regards to high school sporting events.

The directive stated if there are more than 25 people indoors at sporting events, anyone over the age of 2 - excluding athletes in the game - would be required to wear a mask. It limited the number of spectators to two per athlete.

With limited spectators, Mt. Pleasant Activities Director Scott Lamm is worried that winter sports might lose their 'hype,” and affect student athletic performance. Lamm attributes the formative experience of high school sports to a strong fan base and being able to showcase your talent.

'It will be tough, but in the grand scheme of things this is a small sacrifice to still be able to participate and have a season,” Lamm said.

To ensure that school spirit isn't lost, many area districts will be livestreaming sporting events: New London's can be found on its Tigercast livestream website; Mt. Pleasant's livestream's can be found on MPTV Close-Up, the high school's video team YouTube channel.

New London Community School District Superintendent Chad Wahls finds the directive frustrating, and said local districts, including New London and Mt. Pleasant, already have mask mandates in place for sporting events this winter. Wahls said he was frustrated with the state, admitting that they take over 'easy” decisions and leave more complicated issues up to local districts.

'We've been making good decisions locally and for them to step in now and take away from local control is frustrating,” Wahls Said.

Mt. Pleasant Superintendent John Henriksen said that Mt. Pleasant has a mask mandate that started during the fall sports season that has so far gone over well. The superintendent said during volleyball games, Mt. Pleasant players were diligent about mask wearing on the sidelines. Players as well as spectators were more than willing to mask up, as long as it meant a chance to play this fall, and Henriksen foresees that being the case this winter.

'I think people realize that we are at this juncture today, and that we have to respond in a more restrictive manner, and that is the case across the state,” Henriksen said.

In addition to winter sports the directive limits other school activities such as music concerts and drama performances, with groups of more than 25 being required to wear masks and social distance between groups.

As the winter sports season remains up in the air, area districts are doing their best to interpret 14-day rolling averages on positivity rates, student and staff absenteeism, and community spread to make the best decision for their district's, communities and students.

Henriksen emphasized that he aims at making 'student-centered” and 'community-minded” decisions while understanding the effects his decisions may have on the rest of the community.

'I understand how the school district has an impact or role in the community and how that affects people in the community,” Henriksen said.

'As long as we can make focused decisions that are students-centered and community-minded, I think that is what our community is looking for,” he added.