SEDGWICK COUNTY —The state's largest school district voted Monday night to require masks for all individuals ages 3 and up while indoors. The USD 259/Wichita Public schools board approved the update to the district's COVID plan with a 6-0 vote. The mandate begins August 30.
The decision was based upon recent guidance from state and local public health experts, according to the motion approved by the board.
On Friday, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly called for school districts to require masks as hospitals buckle under the strain of increasingly young COVID-19 patients.
The USD 259 mask mandate will be evaluated periodically to determine whether it is advisable under public health recommendations for the district to return to masking being strongly recommended.
Ahead of Monday's vote, school district superintendent Dr. Alicia Thompson shared COVID data for students and staff. The rolling positive total COVID cases among staff is 51; total students is 194. Total is 245, a percentage of 0.67%.
Out of 7,633 employees, 74 are currently in quarantine which is 0.96%