USD 506 TO START SCHOOL YEAR WITH MASKS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
Launch the media gallery 1 playerALTAMONT, KAN, August 19, 2021 — This morning in a 5-2 vote, the USD 506 Board of Education voted to allow students to start the school year with masks being strongly encouraged (not required) in all USD 506 buildings.
While masking will not be required of students at the start of school, each school’s positivity rate will be continuously monitored. Should the positivity rate rise above 2%, the affected school will immediately be under a mask mandate for a minimum of 10 calendar days. The school will remain under the mask mandate until the positivity rate drops below 2%. The 2% positivity rate will include both teacher and student positive cases collectively.
“As we approach the new school year, our commitment is to provide as many students the opportunity to learn in-person on a continuous basis. I commend the board for their dedication to our district and for working together on this very challenging topic. Keeping students and staff healthy is our highest priority as we prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, “said Dr. John Wyrick.
The USD 506 Board of Education and administration will continuously monitor positive case rates throughout the district. This plan is subject to change as the school year progresses.