The Webster City school board Monday night approved a measure that will require those attending fall sports events to wear face coverings.

The board unanimously approved the mask requirement.

Athletic Director Joe Shanks gave the board discussed the fall sports season.

“It’s an exciting time of year with school beginning and fall sports begins, too,” he said. “And we really didn’t know if that was going to happen six months ago.”

The first girls volleyball game was held Monday night at Roland-Story, Shanks said, and the first football game of the season against Carroll on Lynx Field is Friday. The Lynx Invite Cross Country meet will be held at Briggs Woods Tuesday.

Shanks said the summer baseball and softball programs were “an experiment.”

“It was only half a season and the purpose was to see if we could pull this off without any major incidents. And there weren’t. From my perspective, the season went really well and helped propel us to where we are right now,” Shanks said.

Shanks said it would be important to follow all of the guidelines established to ensure that everything is safe for fans, coaches and players.

Athletes on the bus will wear masks, but will not being wearing masks when they are playing, Shanks said.

The admission to the football games will remain the same, $5, but face masks will be required to get in the gate. The first two rows of the bleachers will no seating to allow spectators to move about. Every other row will be available for seating, he said.

To increase the seating space, the band will be set up in an designated area near the scoreboard. Shanks said the band will perform at halftime, but there will be no marching.

There will still be room along the fence line for spectators to stand. Cheerleaders will still perform, but the mascot, Max, will be “put on sabbatical” this year.

Boom Night, which occurs during Homecoming Week, will be held on Lynx Field, weather permitting, Shanks said. Coronation of the Homecoming Court will be held at that time. No decisions have been made on other Homecoming Week activities.

Shanks said he’s working with the technology staff to set up live streams of games and matches.

While the concession stands were not open for the summer sports season, Shanks said concessions would be available for the fall events.

All concession stands — at the football field, Jefferson Gym and the competition gym — will have plexiglass barriers set up. Hand sanitizer will be supplied to all three locations, as well as sanitation supplies, face masks and gloves for workers.

Shanks said there would be some changes to the foods available due to space and social distancing for workers.

“The Booster Club usually sells steak and cheddar burgers. Friday, won’t be selling those. Hopefully in the future, they will be able to,” he said.

Jeff Gym will have pop, cold drinks and candy only, due to the space in the stand.

Dr. Mandy Ross, superintendent of schools, told the board that as the district begins classes this week, about 7 percent of its students will be learning remotely.

She reminded the board that the remote learning platforms are supported through the district with supervisor of local educators and is different from home school.

She added that temperatures are expected to soar into the upper 90s this week so classes will be dismissed two-hours early on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.