The Emporia Board of Education has set the table for making mask use optional at all its buildings, but that isn’t happening right away.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the board ultimately voted 7-0 to make mask usage optional effective March 28 after spring break. The vote followed a motion to start optional mask use effective Thursday — a motion that failed 4-3, with Art Gutierrez, Lillian Lingenfelter, Jami Reever and Leslie Seeley voting against and Jeremy Dorsey, Grant Riles and Jennifer Thomas voting for. Dorsey offered both motions and says regardless of the start date, it’s a relief to be at this point.
Board President Art Gutierrez says it’s prudent to wait until late March.
Thomas says this would add more frustration for parents wanting to see mandates come to a close.
The board is basing its decision on a key policy adjustment. The board will track decisions on a building-by-building basis, and those decisions will hinge on whether buildings have a 5-percent or greater COVID-based absentee rate as calculated by the Director of Nursing and the Human Resources Office. Buildings that are at or above 5 percent will have mandatory mask use for at least two weeks, with updates made every Friday and any recommended changes going into effect the following Monday.
Currently, the highest building percentage is Maynard’s 0.05 percent. The district has reported five total cases of coronavirus so far this week.
Several policies will continue until further notice. As per state policy, masks are still required for everybody on bus or other school transportation. District athletics and activities will continue following guidance from the Kansas State High School Activities Association. For infected people or close contacts, the district will still require a negative test result at least on Day 5 so affected people can return to school, but they will still need to wear masks between Days 6-10 at all times.
