NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Naperville District 203 is requiring all students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings whether they’re vaccinated or not.
“Our school guidelines for the 21-22 school year are built around layered mitigations, having a number of strategies in place that will allow us to continue to focus on our primary goal, which is to have all students in-person learning five days a week, and this helps us do that,” said Superintendent Dan Bridges.
Bridges told WBBM Newsradio the decision was based on new guidance from the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health, as well as the growing number of coronavirus cases in DuPage County.
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As of Monday, DuPage County was listed as a ‘substantial’ transmission level with more than 70 cases per 100,000 in the last week.
“We have really kind of devised a plan that monitors things like the community level transmission in order for us to be able to peel things back,” added Bridges. “So I'm hopeful that the decision to begin the school year with masks is not a decision that lasts the entire year.”
Several D203 students and parents voiced their opposition to a mask policy at Monday night’s school board meeting, with some students stating they will not be wearing masks on the first day of school.
Superintendent Bridges explained those who choose not to follow school policy will be dealt with on an individual basis.
“I know this is an emotional topic and an emotional issue for a lot of people and we have different opinions on it, but again, we have the authority under the school code to establish rules and expectations, and then be able to address those in the ways that we see fit, if individuals are not compliant with it.”
Students are scheduled to return to full-time in-person learning on August 19.
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