Christian County school board members approved a recommendation at Thursday night’s meeting requiring all students, staff and visitors, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, to wear masks while inside any of the district’s facilities.
Superintendent Chris Bentzel reminded board members and others the district vowed two things during this pandemic – to honor and respect and do the best they can to keep the students safe while they are in school facilities, and to protect and keep students in the buildings and completing in-person learning. He added these are the two foundational principles behind any decision they need to make.
Bentzel then explained the decision to change his July 27th mask recommendation from a parent’s option to a mask requirement is due to an increase in positive cases and quarantines in the district.
He also noted the quarantine rule has changed since May 21st and is now within 3-feet of a positive case compared to 6-feet the past school year.
Due to an increase of positive cases in the community and after speaking with medical professionals, Bentzel said he feels the right thing to do at this time is to mandate students, staff and visitors to wear masks.
He also added there is a mandate that students wear a mask on school buses.
Bentzel also said he hopes they will be able to lift the mandate in the near future.
The mask mandate recommendation was approved by a 3-0 vote with board members Jeff Moore and Lindsey Clark absent from the meeting.
During presentations, Assistant Superintendent of Operations Josh Hunt gave a high school facilities update and said the district’s facilities plan has been approved by the Kentucky Board of Education as is written. With the approval, the board now has the option to vote on the high school consolidation plan.
The last District Facilities Plan public forum will be at South Christian Elementary School next Thursday evening, August 12, at 6:00.
