By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Hoisington school district is approaching their second week of
optional mask wearing for students and staff after the USD 431 Board of
Education voted 7-0 to remove the mandatory mask wearing part from the original
back-to-school plan from last summer. The board cast their vote April 5.
Students and teachers can still wear masks to protect themselves from the
spread of COVID-19, but they will not be forced to.
USD 431 Superintendent
Patrick Crowdis said the only exception now is that a teacher can still require
the mask in his or her classroom if they want.
"Teachers will have the option to require masks in their classroom as they deem necessary," said Crowdis. "That is for some of our teachers that feel they could potentially be at risk."
The Hoisington school district has also eliminated temperature checks.
Lunchrooms and classrooms will continue to use social distancing measures for
the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
"Teachers will also maintain assigned seating in classes," said Crowdis. "Just in case we have a positive case, we can pinpoint who would be quarantined at that point."
Crowdis says there have been very few problems with the coronavirus and
quarantines since the Christmas break.