One-hundred seventeen Webster City High School seniors will receive diplomas at the close of the 2020 school year in just a few days.

The school board approved the tentative list of graduates Monday night during a Zoom board session.

Dr. Mandy Ross, superintendent, said that the class has 121 seniors.

“One thing that I think is important for the public to understand is that the state of Iowa provides an extra year for what they call a fifth-year senior,” Ross said. “The four kids who are not slated to be on time for graduation this year, actually have another year. Then they will be counted in with the class of 2020.”

Ross said that the extra time gives kids an opportunity to graduate and be part of the class of 2020, even if they receive diplomas at different times.

The superintendent said she and Dan Johnson, high school principal, had met with a group of seniors to get ideas and feedback given the restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“WE met with three times in the past six weeks,” she said. “Their recommendation is that we try to have a traditional commencement ceremony on June 28.”

Ross said the students agreed to seek input from their classmates on whether to hold the ceremony – whether traditional or an alternative type of celebration – on June 28 or to postpone a traditionala ceremony until July 26.

“We’re just waiting for further guidance because we’re not sure if we will have summer sports, not to mention what we can do for graduation,” she said.

The district is working with senior parents about the possibility of hanging banners with the senior students’ names and pictures. If all goes as planned, the banners would hang from street lights in the community.

“You know the seniors have lost so much in the past couple of months,” said Board Vice President Eric Patterson. “I think that’s pretty neat to offset some of what they lost in the past few months.”

The high school staff is also working on a virtual awards ceremony for the seniors.

“It would be recorded and broadcast on WCTV’s YouTube channel on May 19. Information on that will be shared once it’s available to view,” according to Ross.

She said the format of the broadcast would include Johnson, Associate Principal Pat Farley and the two school counselors announcing the awards and the names of the students receiving the awards.

Ross said the names of the award winners would also be included in the commencement program.

In personnel matters, the board voted to offer contracts to Marsha Halbach, fifth grade; Danielle Artley for Hamilton High School; CJ Clabaugh as a instructional coach, and Carrie Turner, regional business office accountant, who will take Kathy Biere’s position when she becomes the school board secretary.

Resignations were accepted from Lance Baetsle, high school science; Tiffany Landrum, ELL; Sarah Holm, second grade, middle school track and 8th grade girls basketball; Elise Kesten, middle school vocal music; Diane Riedemann, preschool; and Brandi Martin, Sunset Heights para/secretary.

A small meal price increase was approved for the upcoming school year. High school meals increased by $.10 to $3.25. Middle school meals will increase $.10 to $3.15 per meal. For elementary, meals will increase $.15 to $3 per meal. Adult meal prices will increase $.25 to $3.

School fees for the 2020-2021 school year will remain mostly the same, with only one price increase, according to Ross. The middle school yearbook cost will increase from $16 to $20.

Once again, there will be no registration fees.