Decatur school board sets mask policy

DECATUR — The Decatur School Board met in its board room at Decatur Middle School Thursday afternoon to take up the issue confronting school districts and college boards around the nation, the use of masks during the pandemic.

Government officials and the Centers for Disease Control offered guidance recommending that all school-age children from kindergarten through 12th grade wear masks during indoor activities, such as classes, study time and indoor sporting events, and practice social distancing.

These guidelines have met with much resistance from parents across the country who believe that the choice of wearing or not wearing masks should be in their hands.

The Decatur board looked at a plan presented by Steve Watkins, school superintendent, regarding face coverings in the Decatur school district. After careful review, the board voted to implement the following mandate for the district, effective Aug. 16:

Students —

Until further action of the board, all students in kindergarten through the 12th grade are required to wear a mask or face covering (a) while attending school or a school function in any school building or other confined area of a school campus, and (b) when riding in schoolprovided transportation. All masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the student. This emergency policy applies to students waiting inside school buildings before and after school and during lunch. Students shall wear masks and face coverings while inside at all times except for the following: students may remove masks and face-covering for eating or drinking; students may remove masks and face coverings when appropriate social distancing measures are in place as determined by a Decatur School staff member; students may be exempted from this emergency policy by the school principal due to a documented medical condition, special behavioral or individualized need of the student; students may remove masks and face coverings on a case-bycase basis for specific instructional needs, including physical education activities, as determinant by a teacher, in which case the teacher will require appropriate social distancing measures to the extent possible.

Students who refuse to wear a mask or face covering at school or at a school function under this emergency policy shall be subject to discipline consistent with the district policy and exclusion from on-site instruction.

Employees —

Until further action of the board, all district employees shall be required to wear a mask or face covering while working or attending a school function in any school building, or other confined area of a school campus. All masks and face covering must cover the nose and mouth of the employee. Employees shall wear masks and face covering inside at all times except that employees may remove masks and face coverings for eating and drinking; when appropriate social distancing measures are in place.

Employees may be exempted from this emergency policy by the school principal or the superintendent due to a documented medical condition of the employee.

Employees who refuse to wear a mask or face covering at school or at a school function under this emergency policy shall be subject to discipline consistent with district policy.

This policy is in effect until further notice by the board.