The Wichita School Board voted Monday night to require indoor masks for everyone 3-years old and older beginning Monday 8/30.
The 6-0 decision comes just two weeks after voting to “strongly recommend” masking in schools. Superintendent Alicia Thompson said 194 students and 51 staff members have tested positive for the virus, according to district data.
Brent Lewis, president of United Teachers of Wichita also stated that school nurses are doing “double duty” to stay on top of daily testing for students who may have been exposed to the virus.
Meanwhile, the district’s remote learning program that was used last year is currently not available to students, due to a decision by the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Legislature to limit the amount of time students spend learning remotely. However, board members plan to bring up the issue of remote learning with state lawmakers, and a decision may come by the end of the year.
Additional information will be sent to parents and gardians for students in Wichita Public Schools on Tuesday.