Mars Area School District approved changes to the district Health and Safety Plan that make quarantining optional for asymptomatic students who are exposed to COVID-19.

After attending an ESSER committee meeting last week, Superintendent Mark Gross recommended that the school district change their Health and Safety Plan to avoid “over-quarantining healthy students.”

“If they are not symptomatic, we will take them. If you are uncomfortable with that, we will allow you to quarantine, but that will be your choice,” Gross said. “We will ask individuals to just monitor and make sure there are not any symptoms.”

Mars Area Varsity Football players and family members spoke at the meeting as the board voted to open up the varsity head football coaching position, which has been occupied by head football coach and athletic director Scott Heinauer since 1992.“I want to commend you guys for taking this seriously,” said parent Jeff Maple. “It's not easy after the tenure that has been had, and he needs to be commended for that tenure, but I wanted to commend you guys for bringing it forward.”“We again wanted to reiterate what people were saying and extend a thank you for taking into consideration what's been said about our head coach in the past month, and taking charge and making a change that we all feel is needed,” student Noah Nesselroad said. “We fully stand behind the change that is being approved.”“Those boys put in a lot of their life to that football team, and I think they deserve a coach who gives as much to the team as the team gives to the coach,” said parent Suzanne Hull. “I just want you to think about that as you start your search for a new coach because that's a group of dedicated boys who really put a lot into that team.”<b> A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com. </b>