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Masks optional in Stockton School District

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STOCKTON–The Stockton School Board talked plans for the upcoming school year and beyond during its meeting on Monday, July 19.

As many school districts are still in flux with their return to learn plans for the 2021-22 school year, Stockton jumped ahead of the curve, opting to make masks optional for all students and staff.

Superintendent James Bunting said masks will be recommended by the district but not mandated.

“This decision isn’t set in stone and could change, but based on the data that we have, we have decided that we can go to school without masks,” said Bunting. “If parents want to send their kids to school with masks, they are able to do that.”

 

One campus

The district also moved another step ahead on its one campus project. The board authorized an installment purchase agreement for the district and the issuance of not more than $4.5 million in general obligation debt certificates bonded against the sales tax. The $4.5 million will be used to build and equip an addition and to repair, alter and equip the existing school buildings.

Bunting noted the next step in the project entails the formulation of a contract with CTS, the performance contractor for the project.

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Bunting also detailed the current timeline for the project. The district intends to prepare bids by October with the district accepting bids and beginning to break ground in January.

The district hopes to have the project wrapped up by the end of the 2022-23 school year with the 2023-24 school year being the first for the district with all students on one campus. The current middle school building will house PK-5 classes, while the high school, with the new addition, will be 6-12.

Other business

The board also:

•approved credit cards for Lorie Wright and Jason Volk with a limit of $1,000.

•approved treasurer’s bonds for Wright, Susan Leitzen, Vicki Eden and Bunting.

•accepted the resignation of Lori Dittmar, band director.

•hired Thomas Wade, band director; Jen Gile, paraprofessional; Kaitlyn Staver, paraprofessional; Dominique Holland, technology coordinator; Danielle Steffes, middle school secretary.

•approved an electric contract with Dynegy.