Two tiers of the Webster City Schools staff members will roll up their sleeves to receive COVID-19 vaccinations next week, according to information provided to the school board Monday night.

The board met in the administration board room with the public joining in via the Zoom platform.

Superintendent Dr. Mandy Ross said the district has been working Hamilton County Public Health to set up the vaccinations. She said staff members have been divided into three tiers. Tier 1 includes those with underlying health issues or who are 65 years of age and older. Tier 2 includes staff members who work with students who cannot wear masks and tier 3 is the remainder of the staff.

“Due to the limited amount of vaccine here in Hamilton County, this tiered system is absolutely necessary,” said Ross. “How ever, I’m happy to report that Tier 1 and 2 staff members who wish to be vaccinated will get their initial dose on Monday, Feb. 15, which is an inservice day.”

Staff members will report to Hamilton County Public Health at 1610 Collins St. for the vaccination appointments.

“We’re asking our principals to work with staff to make them available when their appointment comes up,” she said.

Ross said originally, the plan called for the staff members to be vaccinated at each of the school buildings. But it was determined that public health nurses could deliver the vaccinations more efficiently at the health department offices.

“Lea Ahrens, our school nurse, has been in contact with those tier 1 and 2 staff members so they can register for an appointment,” Ross said. The appointments will allow for social distancing and staff members will stay for about 15 minutes after the shot to be sure there are no adverse reactions.

Ross also gave an update on the number of students who are taking part in remote learning. In the preschool through first graders, there are six students in remote learning compared to 15 in October. In second and third grade there are 14 remote learners compared to 22 in October.

Twenty-seven students in middle school were learning remotely in October, compared to 32 in February. At the high school, there are 53 students in remote learning, which is five more than in October.

“Across all grades, we have nine fewer students in remote learning, although at the high school and middle school we had additional students who moved to remote learning,” she said.

Ross also addressed Gov. Kim Reynolds move last Friday to remove the mask mandate and restrictions for indoor gatherings.

“This, however, pertains to businesses and current interpretations excludes schools. I wanted the board to know I’m not proposing any changes to our current mitigation practices of social distancing and mask requirements,” she said.

Ross said the Pleasant View principal position has been posted and 20 applications have been received. She said Kelli Reis, principal at Sunset Heights, Jessica Hector, principal at the Northeast Hamilton learning center, and herself are reviewing the applications.

Screening calls will be made to narrow the field to four or five candidates, with interviews to be held Feb. 23.

“We hope to offer the job on March 1 so that I can bring the recommendation for approval at the March 8 board meeting,” she said.

In other business, the board:

• accepted the resignation of Kevin Bahrenfuss as the concessions director.

• approved the hiring of Jess Miller as a night custodian at the high school, and Heidi Barrick as the assistant high school cross country coach for 2021-2022.

• approved a fundraising request from the high school yearbook staff who will be selling yearbook advertising.

• approved the clinical placement agreement with Iowa Central, who will be placing students to observe with the district’s school nurses.

• approved a special education agreement with Iowa Falls-Alden Schools.

• approved the Seidlitz Education Service Contract for professional development.