More school districts are reversing course and will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks or face coverings when they are inside school facilities.
Jessamine and Montgomery County schools are added to the growing list of school districts that will require universal masking, which means everyone has to wear one regardless of their vaccination status.
In Jessamine County, where 59 students are in quarantine by the health department, Public Schools Superintendent Matt Moore sent a message to families saying masks would be required. It reads in part "We want our students here with us, learning in our classrooms, because we know that's how they learn best,” and that he believes they will help reduce quarantines and "preserve the opportunity for in-person learning for our students."
Montgomery County school leaders made the announcement on their Facebook page after the county’s board of education voted to require masks when the local COVID-19 incidence rate is at 25 or higher. Once that rate falls below 25, mask use will be optional. Officials with the district said they made the decision after consulting with the local health department and reviewing the numbers.
Both districts plan to return to optional masking once health officials believe it is a safe option. Montgomery County’s school board will reassess the requirement every Thursday to set guidance for the following week.