Aug 05, 2021

No mask mandate for the state's largest school district

Posted Aug 05, 2021 1:30 PM
USD 259 Superintendent Alicia Thompson
USD 259 Superintendent Alicia Thompson

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A growing number of Kansas public school districts are imposing mask mandates because of the more contagious COVID-19 delta variant. The state's largest school district is not calling for a mask mandate to start the school year but recommends teachers and students wear them.

On Wednesday, USD 259-Wichita shared with families the administrative recommendation regarding the COVID protocol for the 2021-22 school year. 

Superintendent Alicia Thompson wrote to school staff and parents of students, "Our administrative recommendation will strongly encourage every employee and student to wear a face mask as the school year begins, regardless of vaccination status."

"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."

In addition, the recommendation will include that all visitors will be required to wear a mask when they are inside of our school buildings, regardless of vaccination status. In short, anyone who doesn’t have a WPS-issued identification badge falls within this expectation.

The recommendations will be presented to the Wichita Board of Education  Monday, August 9, for their consideration and approval.

At least nine other Kansas school districts with more than 92,000 students as of Tuesday had imposed a mask requirement for at least students under 12, who can’t get vaccinated. Most are requiring masks for everyone indoors. The nine districts have more than 19% of the state’s 476,000 students.