The Mason City Schools administration told the board Monday that it will implement a new attendance procedure for home football games and other large community events. Starting this Friday, any student in eighth grade or younger who enters the stadium must be accompanied by an adult, administrators said; an administrator will greet the party at entry and provide a wristband indicating the student is with an adult.

“ If you're a student age eighth grade or below, when you come in, you have to have an adult with you,” Doctor Cooper said when describing the new procedure. The district said the measure is intended to keep crowds safe as the stadium hosts more than 5,000 community members for Friday night games and halftime performances.

Administrators cautioned that the rule is a proactive safety step for large events and asked families to plan accordingly. The board did not vote on the procedure; it was presented as an operational change for immediate implementation.

Why it matters: The change affects families attending large events and is intended to improve supervision and safety for younger students.

For now: The procedure takes effect this Friday; district staff said administrators will distribute wristbands and assist families at entry.