
Faith Lambert sanitizes door handles and other high-touch areas in the office at Woodbury Central Community School in Moville, Iowa, Thursday. Woodbury Central is among the smaller Siouxland school districts that plan to start the fall semester with all in-person instruction, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
SIOUX CITY -- Even as the beginning of the academic year is only two or three weeks away, Siouxland school superintendents continue to say the manner in which courses will be delivered remains a big question mark.
With community spread of the novel coronavirus still a threat in Iowa, administrators and school board members have the task of deciding how much of the instruction should take place in school buildings and whether facial coverings should be required or simply recommended for pupils, teachers and staff.
Woodbury Central School District Superintendent Doug Glackin said the ground keeps shifting, because the Iowa Department of Education and Gov. Kim Reynolds over the summer have changed parameters on how schooling may transpire. Glackin said a lot of smaller-school superintendents in the vicinity have had periodic Zoom conference calls to discuss possible plans with each other.
Woodbury Central is scheduled to begin the fall semester on Aug. 25 with all in-school instruction. That method is also the case at Kingsley-Pierson, which will start on Aug. 13, and Sioux Central districts.
Iowans are used to a system where individual local school boards make the ultimate decisions on what schooling looks like for them, but the pandemic has changed that up some as the Return to Learn plans are being set. All districts had to set plans for instruction in three ways -- all in buildings, all online or a combination of the two.
At Kingsley-Pierson, the Return to Learn plan says, "We NEED to get the kids safely back in the classrooms."
Maple Valley-Anthon Oto School Board members in a Monday meeting will decide how school will look at the August 24 start. They will choose between all students being taught in the building or a hybrid model with grades K-6 taught in buildings every day and 7-12 students in school every other day.
Reynolds announced on July 17 she would override local school districts and require students to spend at least half of their education time in classrooms, which some critics said could endanger children and teachers.
In her most recent comments on that topic, Reynolds again hewed closely to that mantra in a Thursday press conference, reiterating that as much instruction as possible should be done in person. She cited the assistance provided for students with behavior disorders, among other benefits.
Many Siouxland superintendents have agreed with the merits of in-school instruction and it's their first choice, although they are also concerned how that can happen in a way that keeps students and teachers safe.
Lots of teachers have taken to social media in recent weeks to say they are concerned about teaching during the pandemic. On Thursday, the Iowa State Education Association, a union group composed of teachers, said 36,000 people had signed an online petition opposing Reynolds’ requirement that 50 percent of school instruction be in-person.

Head custodian Faith Lambert, left, and Rebekah Russom gather cleaning supplies, gloves and masks as they assemble sanitary kits for every classroom at Woodbury Central Community School in Moville, Iowa, Thursday.
Additionally on Thursday, a state education department directive said school districts would be granted permission to conduct all classes online for 14 days following high coronavirus case counts. Reynolds noted only school districts in Iowa counties where the two-week average of positive new coronavirus tests is at least 15 percent will be allowed to operate completely online.
This past week, no Iowa county was above the 15 percent threshold, according to state public health data. Humboldt County was the highest at 13 percent. On Friday, the Des Moines School District sought a reprieve from the rule announced Thursday, to have high school classes online the whole year.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 disease have tracked upwards in Iowa since early July.
With its Aug. 13 opening date, Kingsley-Pierson in Plymouth County is one of the first Northwest Iowa districts to start classes this fall. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state waived the regular mandate that districts start no earlier than Aug. 24.
The K-P plan says, "We truly believe on-site learning is the best type of learning environment for students, not only educationally, but social-emotionally, as well. This may look different than what we are used to or the normal educational environment, but the students will be back to required learning."
On July 27, Woodbury Central was a rare Siouxland district holding a special meeting in which people were urged to come speak and ask questions on how the reopening will look. That played out in a special school board meeting in the W-C gymnasium, where more than 100 people, with a good amount wearing masks, turned out to sit on quite distanced chairs.
W-C patrons posed questions to Superintendent Glackin and Siouxland District Health Department Director Kevin Grieme, and thanked the school officials for hosting such a public event to get answers, although a few times Glackin and board members allowed there are some details that may not be known until the final days before school. Currently, the W-C plan is to begin the year with all in-school instruction.
Grieme said most positive county cases from coronavirus for young people came from having broad social lives, such as holding group poker games and other activities with numerous people.
Sioux Central Superintendent Kevin Wood said he's not certain pupils will be overly nervous about returning to school amid virus spread, based on how he's seen them congregate.
"I'm not sure it is at the forefronts of their minds like it is for their parents," Wood said.
Jesse Persons, of Moville, spoke at the W-C meeting, saying school officials should consider the high value in contact tracing as they reopen, since many Moville residents are teachers in other school districts. Persons said she teaches in close direct contact with students who have disabilities.
"I worry about being exposed (at work) and potentially exposing my own children who attend Woodbury Central in high school, middle school and preschool," Persons said.

Faith Lambert sanitizes door handles and other high-touch areas in the office at Woodbury Central Community School in Moville, Iowa, Thursday.
W-C School Board member Adam Lloyd said the goal should be to have few disruptions to in-school instruction, because that would mean some parents would stay home with children and miss their work, cramping the local economy.
Woodbury Central patrons debated the merits of requiring or just recommending the wearing of masks by students. Some people shared impressions that wearing masks all day would be derogatory health-wise for students, while others said public health officials have said that is not so.
A middle-aged man from the back of the gym said, "President Trump has said you can't mandate masks ... So what happens if I send my kid without a mask? I've already had (coronavirus), everyone in this room knows it."
Glackin said while the wearing of masks is not an absolute requirement for W-C, school officials want them to be worn as much as practical.
"Many teachers will feel a lot more comfortable (for their own health) if all the kids are wearing masks," Glackin said.
The Sioux Central district, based in Sioux Rapids, has had an interesting first month, with Wood assuming the superintendent's position amid a pandemic on July 1. Wood said Aug. 24 is the beginning school day, and exactly how classes will be pulled off in the K-12 building remains in flux.
He said a survey of teachers showed 75 percent will wear masks, and the practice will be that they are recommended, not required.
"We can't stop the (virus) spread, but you can certainly slow it by putting in preventive measures," Wood said.
Sioux Central students will not be able to be spaced six feet apart in all classrooms, he said, but they will likely be told to move to a new spot every 15 minutes, which is a public health suggestion.
To avoid the usual congestion of students during lunch, pupils will sit on temporary tables in a gymnasium and an outside courtyard. There will also be changes in certain classes, such as science or food courses, that usually have students working in close lab teams.
"The teacher is just going to have to be creative," Wood said.
PHOTOS: 42 historic images of Sioux City schools
Sioux City first school

The first Sioux City schoolhouse is seen on the right in this early photograph.
Sioux City Central School

Sioux City's first brick school building, called Central School, opened its doors circa 1870. It operated for 20 years.
West Third Street School

The West Third Street School at West Third and Bluff streets, opened in 1880.
West Side Brick

The First Ward School, also called West Side Brick, opened in 1872 on the Market Street site where the LAMB Arts Regional Theatre is located. It was torn down in the late 1930s.
East Third Street School

The East Third Street School at Third and Chambers (later at Sixth and Morgan) streets opened in 1883 and operated until 1929.
Eighth Street Primary

The Eighth Street Primary School (known by several names in its time) opened at Eighth and Pierce streets in 1882.
Wall Street School

The Wall Street School, at Seventh and Wall streets, opened in 1880 and operated until 1925.
Fifth Ward School

The Fifth Ward School opened at Wall and Dace streets in 1885. It operated until 1938.
East Side Brick

East Side Brick, later to be renamed Irving, opened at 11th and Jennings streets in 1886. It was one of several Sioux City schools that underwent extensive renovations in the following century and was in use until 2006.
Everett School

The former Everett Elementary school opened in 1888, sharing the exact building plan of the Cooper school in Greenville, which was also built in the same year. Both buildings still stand, but underwent such extensive remodeling during the 20th century that they do not look at all like Everett seen in this photo.
Cooper School

The Cooper School in Greenville opened in 1888. It shares an identical building plan as the former Everett School on the west side. Both buildings still stand, but do not have their original appearance.
West Eighth Street School

Opened in 1887, the West Eighth Street School operated until 1934. Today, the McDonalds on Hamilton Boulevard sits near the site of the school.
Pearl Street School

The Pearl Street School, later named Bancroft after the statesman George Bancroft, opened in 1888.
Cole's Addition School

The Cole's Addition School, later called Franklin, opened in 1889 at Ninth and Plymouth streets. It was one of the schools that underwent extensive remodeling in the 20th century before it closed in 1982.
Bryant School

The Bryant School, named for poet William Cullen Bryant, opened in 1890.
Longfellow School

Named for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the original Longfellow school opened in 1890. It lasted only three years.
Hawthorne School

Hawthorne School opened in 1891 and operated until 2008. It was one of the schools that underwent 20th century remodeling.
Longfellow School (second)

A second Longfellow School was built in 1893 to replace the previous one, which was built only three years earlier. It was one of the schools that was remodeled in the 20th century and remained in use until 2012.
Riverside School

Riverside School opened sometime in the 1890s at Hornick Street and Nash Avenue. It closed in 1914.
Hornick's Addition School

The Hornick's Addition School opened at West First and Leonard streets in the mid-1890s.
Floyd School

The Floyd School, named for Sgt. Charles Floyd, opened in 1902. It later underwent extensive remodeling before it closed in 1980.
Smith Villa School

The Smith Villa School, in the former home of early Sioux City resident William R. Smith, opened in 1899.
Whittier School

The Whittier School opened in 1902. It was remodeled in the 20th century and closed in 2015.
Crescent Park School

The Crescent Park School opened in 1906, as did Hunt School. Unlike Hunt, however, the wood-framed Crescent Park School closed after only 14 years.
Hunt School

The Hunt School was one of Sioux City's oldest school buildings when it closed at the end of the last school year. It opened in 1906.
Joy School

The Joy School, which opened in 1912 and closed a century later, is today an apartment complex.
Lowell School

Lowell School opened in 1910 and closed in 2008.
Follett House

The Follett House, 1309 Nebraska St., became the first building in Sioux City to house a high school (without other grade levels) in 1890. Classes were held there for two years.
Riverview School

Riverview School opened in 1914 and closed in 2002.
East Junior High School

Sioux City's East Junior High School opened in 1917, just eight years after the first-ever junior high school opened in the U.S. It closed in 1972.
West Junior High School

Sioux City's West Junior High School opened in 1919. It closed in 2003.
Roosevelt School

Roosevelt School, named for Theodore Roosevelt, opened in 1920. It remained open until 2014.
Crescent Park School

Another Crescent Park School, later called Bryant, opened at 27th and Myrtle streets in 1920.
Emerson School

Emerson School opened in 1921. It closed in 2014.
McKinley School

McKinley School, named for president William McKinley, opened in 1921.
Washington School

Named for George Washington, Sioux City's Washington School opened in 1921. It closed in 2013.
East High School

East High School opened in 1925 and remained open until 1972.
Grant School

Grant School, named for Ulysses S. Grant, opened in 1925. It closed in 2008.
Woodrow Wilson Junior High School

Sioux City's Woodrow Wilson Junior High School opened in 1925. It closed in 2005.
Leeds High School

Leeds High School opened in 1939, one of only a few high schools to be opened in Sioux City during the 1930s and 1940s. It closed in 1972.
Webster Elementary

The Webster Elementary school, built in 1939, has served as the home of the LAMB Arts Regional Theatre for decades.
Hunt Elementary School goodbye hug #4

Students hold hand while circling Hunt Elementary School to give it a "hug" Wednesday, May 29, 2019, on the last day of classes at the school.