Maries County students whose families elect for them to attend school virtually this semester will not be allowed to participate in extra-curricular events.

If students choose to attend an event, such as a baseball game, the school can’t stop them, but they can’t be on the baseball team if they choose to attend this semester virtually.

At the Maries R-1 School Board’s special meeting in mid-August, the board approved a motion to approve the virtual plan for those students not wanting to attend in-school classes during the fall semester. According to MSHSAA guidelines, the students who choose this option for learning during the Covid-19 coronavirus global pandemic will not be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities.

The school board approved the re-opening plan put together by Superintendent Mark Parker. As part of the plan, students who participate in extra-curricular activities must sign a waiver in order to participate.

Parker updated the board members on an addition to the Vienna High School Track renovation project. A javelin runway was not included in the original track design. The board approved adding the runway with possibly narrowing the runway from the 15 feet proposal. The estimate for this additional work is $23,000. The funding for the track renovation and other safety and needed updates at the school campus was made possible by district patrons who voted to approve the no tax increase bond issue in June 2020. Voter approval allowed the R-1 school district to extend its 44-cent debt service levy.

The board gave its approval of the memorandum of understanding with Your Community Health Center which allows the school nurse to reach out to this organization about student health issues if needed.

At this special meeting the school board approved hiring John Schulte as a bus contractor to take Ed Fagre’s route.