(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board in a special meeting Monday evening voted to extend remote learning another week, with students now set to return to in-person learning December 10.

The vote was 5-2, with board members John Wright and Andrea Groth casting the dissenting votes.

The action came after the board heard from local and school health officials about COVID-19 cases within the schools and county along with concern over numbers increasing this week following the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hiawatha students have been learning remotely since November 16.

The Board also voted 6-1 to not allow sports activities until students are back in school December 10, with Wright casting the lone dissenting vote.

In addition, the Board unanimously adopted a modified quarantine protocol designed to keep more students in the classroom and more teachers on the job.

The updated protocol, introduced by Brown County Health Officer Robin Downard, was approved by the Brown County Commission last week.

Under the new protocol, as long as approved face masks are worn correctly in a low risk setting---such as a classroom or school bus--close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual will not be required to quarantine.