The Monroe County Board of Education has taken action to strengthen student and staff safety measures as the spread of Covid-19 cases continues to soar in the community. The move to require masks in face-to-face school settings in grades six through twelve came during the Board's Tuesday, January 12, 2021 meeting.
Dr. Jeremy Goodwin, in his first Board meeting as the newly-elected representative from District 4, asked fellow members to consider the move as an additional step to attempt to hold the line on a post-holiday surge in cases of Covid throughout the community.
"I think we need to be much more aggressive within our school system to do everything we can to lower the number of cases," said Dr. Goodwin. "We worry about our teachers, we worry about our students; I worry about their parents, I worry about their grandparents, because those are the people I will be taking care of at the hospital."
After lengthy discussion, Goodwin made a motion to institute the mask requirement for students and staff in middle and high school grade levels, noting the exception for times when social distancing is possible (such as outside activities) and while eating breakfast and lunch.
The vote to approve the motion was 4-3. Supporting the motion were Dr. Goodwin, Dr. Priscilla Doster, Nolen Howard and J.P. Evans. Opposing were Stuart Pippin, Eva Bilderback, and Greg Head.
The board tasked the school administration with setting protocols, including an effective date for the requirement. Also discussed was the need for all schools to continue making masks available for students who may not have one or who may have left theirs at home. Masks are available at schools and on school buses for students who need one.
The new requirement to wear masks will be effective starting Tuesday, January 19 -- the first day following the MLK Jr. Day holiday. As an option to the requirement for wearing masks, students in middle and high school will be given the opportunity to move from face-to-face to virtual learning and vice versa. This window will be open through Friday, January 22. Parents wishing to make a change in their child's learning platform can make that request by following this link:
For more information, please contact your child's school administration.
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