The Perry County District 32 School Board took an important step in their plans to allow students to return to campus five days per week next semester. The board approved a mask mandate at the meeting on Dec. 9., ahead of the beginning of the second semester on Jan. 5, 2021.
On Nov. 12, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced changes to the state’s school pandemic procedures. Under the new rules, students and staff who are exposed to COVID-19 while on campus, they may be considered “allowable close contacts” if they are both wearing proper masks. For the governors’ changes to take effect, the district had to require a mask mandate.
“We just want our kids back in the classroom,” Superintendent Andy Comstock said. “I think that if you asked most parents, they would take having their kids back in school five days per week even if they have to wear masks.”
By definition, an “allowable close contact” is required to quarantine, but will be allowed to teach or learn in the classroom with several precautions including They are strictly to go to school to learn or teach and go home, per Perry County Health Department protocols. They may not participate in sports, extracurricular activities, or social activities.
They must wear a mask the entire time they are present at school, even when physical distancing or cohorting is possible. Students or staff who were identified as close contacts to positive individuals outside the school setting will be required to quarantine at home, which is the current practice.
Comstock is cautious for the return of the students for the full five days per week, but was optimistic since the district did not see much of a rise in cases after the students returned from Thanksgiving break.
“This is a new dynamic for us,” Comstock said. “But talking with the health department I think we will be ok as long as we all take the proper precautions.”
