WACO Warriors will march back to school on August 24 as in-person, on-site learning was approved by the school board. After gathering parent and teacher comments and questions during a special school board meeting Wednesday, the board decided to pursue on-site, in-person learning for the school year. The district has been in constant contact with Henry County Public Health officials and decided in-person learning was the best option for students over the hybrid learning model. The district believes the hybrid model should be used when it is not safe for all students to be in attendance. In a survey, 69% of families believe masks should be optional. Utilizing that data and information from the Iowa Department of Public Health, the board voted for mask use to be optional, but recommended them when and where social distancing is not possible. Students will be asked to bring a mask to school and have it on their person at all times. Students in all grade levels will have the ability to choose online learning, using different online programs based on the student’s grade level. Families will have until September 11 to either keep their student in the online program or move to in-person learning at the school building. The district will continue their four-day week schedule for classes.