The Highland School District has established mask policies for athletes and spectators for the upcoming spring and summer sports seasons.

Superintendent Ken Crawford says they set the mask parameters following discussion during Monday night’s school board work session, but they could be adjusted as they seek additional guidance from the Iowa High School Athletic Association, “But right now, we’d like the athletes when they’re doing small group work and stretching to keep their masks on, but when competing they can take their masks off, kind of like what we did for football last fall, and then we’re asking people who attend to bring a mask with them (and) when you cannot distance, please, wear your mask, but if you can distance in the stands and when you’re walking around a track meet, stuff like that, it would not be mandatory.”

Crawford says they’re trying to strike the right balance of not spreading COVID-19, but also understanding spring and summer sporting events are outside in a very open space. He says students and staff are still required to wear masks inside school buildings