Mask mandate expires in PW school district

Board recommends to wear masks, hears update about athletic fields

The mask mandate in the Palestine-Wheatley School District has been lifted, although the district still highly recommends masks for it's students.

According to Superintendent Jon Estes following a meeting of the PW School Board on Tuesday, the mandate expired on Tuesday, although the district still highly recommends wearing a mask.

"Our students have done a fantastic job wearing the masks and it has worked for us so far," said Estes. "Our original 30-day mask mandate expired today and our students and staff are no longer required to wear masks if they do not want to. We do highly recommend wearing a mask because they have done such a good job, but it is no longer mandated that they wear one."

During the meeting, Estes spoke with board members on updates regarding the new athletic fields, bleachers, a 5% salary increase, the purchasing of a new school bus and school board zones.

"Turf is being completed on our new baseball fields and it is soon to start on our football field," said Estes. "You all can drive back there and look at the work being done on the fields and see that it is moving along well."

Estes told the board that he was currently waiting for bids to return for new bleachers for the new athletic fields on the new campus.

"I was supposed to have three bids for bleachers from Jeremy Stone but I have not gotten them yet," said Estes. "I may call a special meeting once we get the bids in to approve the purchase of those for the new football field."

According to Estes, state law requires that the board be notified of any 5% increase in pay to any employee compared to two years prior to the current school year.

"Law says that the board is to be notified of anyone who receives a 5% increase in pay from the year before last," said Estes. "This is just a report, as nobody was given a raise. We gave out a couple generous bonuses last year. Pay did go up as minimum wage went up as well as when teacher pay went up."

Estes said that he was working on getting approval from the state in order to purchase new school buses with elementary and secondary school emergency relief funds.

(Continued from Page 1) "We are going to try to use some ESSER money to purchase some buses," said Estes. "I have not received approval from the state on that yet, but I am working toward getting that done."

According to Estes, school board zones are being looked at for potential remapping but that he is working with a law firm to put a plan in place.

"You have an email from the School Board Association pertaining information about the 2020 census and how it might affect board members," said Estes. "I am working with a new attorney to provide us guidance. I will have a more detailed plan at the next board meeting."

"Some of us don't know how long our term limits are at this time," said board member Jared Parker. "Will we have to run again?"

"You all may have to run again," said Estes.

Members of the board also accepted the resignation of Fannie Evans, effective Oct. 12, during the meeting.