Festus R-6 School District students who attend summer school classes are strongly urged to wear masks, but will not be required to do so unless a designated number of positive COVID-19 cases occur in the district.
The district’s summer school program runs from Wednesday (June 2) to Wednesday (June 30).
At their May 20 meeting, Festus Board of Education members discussed the issue of wearing masks during summer school, but did not take a vote on the matter. Instead, Superintendent Link Luttrell asked for their opinions and made the decision about masks based on what the feedback they gave him.
“The consensus was we will start summer school where masks are highly recommended, but optional,” Luttrell said. “Plus, all the COVID protocols will be followed.”
He said those protocols include encouraging students and staff to remain home when sick, encouraging frequent and proper hand-washing and conducting regular cleaning of high-traffic surface areas.
Luttrell explained the threshold for the district to return to mandatory mask wearing on campus.
“If at any point in time the percentage of students and staff in summer school reaches 1.5 percent for having a positive COVID test, masks will be required,” he said.
He said a decision about mask-wearing regulations for the 2021-2022 school year, which begins Aug. 23, is expected soon.
“I’m hoping to make the decision, hopefully, by late June or early July,” Luttrell said.
