SEDGWICK COUNTY— The school board for the state's largest school district is not calling for a mask mandate to start the school year. After hearing tearful statements from parents and others, USD 259 board members voted 4-3 Monday night to follow last week's administrative recommendation and strongly encourage every employee and student to wear a face mask as the school year begins, regardless of vaccination status.
In addition, the recommendation will include that all visitors be required to wear a mask when they are inside of school buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Anyone who doesn’t have a WPS-issued identification badge falls within this expectation.
"This recommendation aligns directly with national and state guidelines regarding masking. If we all do our part and model the behavior we want to see from our students, then we will maintain safe schools and allow both staff and students to maximize teaching and learning time in schools, which experts across the country say is the best-possible place for our students to be," according to the Superintendent Alicia Thompson.
Many other Kansas school districts including Topeka, Salina, Hutchinson and Shawnee Mission will require masks.
The Johnson County Commission also voted Thursday for a mask requirement for schools from kindergarten through the sixth grade. Supporters of the mandate said it's crucial to having in-person learning. Full-time learning online is not available this school year.