Back to school: Masks optional

Students and employees at Sweetwater County schools will not be required to wear masks when they return to the classroom this month.

Both Sweetwater County School Districts released statements at the end of July saying in the new school year “the option to utilize masks or other face coverings will be left to the discretion of families and employees.”

Western Wyoming Community College removed its mask mandate for the summer semester, and said that the fall semester “will open as normal.”

On August 4, Governor Mark Gordon announced he will not implement a state-wide mask mandate for schools.

“My focus is on supporting local school boards as they take into account conditions in their community and work to assure students learn safely this year too,” Governor Gordon said.

Also on August 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised their “Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools.” The update states: “Due to the circulating and highly contagious Delta variant, CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.”

Despite the updated CDC recommendations, Sweetwater County schools are sticking to the decision to not require masks.

“We are going to go forward with our current plan as approved,” Craig Barringer, superintendent of Sweetwater County School District No. 2, said.

The district’s Smart Start Plan, which outlines COVID-19 protocols for the new school year, including the optional mask guidelines, was voted on and approved by the school board during their August 10 meeting.

Barringer explained that this year’s Smart Start plan is a modified version of last year’s. The plan was first put together in 2020 when Wyoming schools were required to present their plans and protocols in order to open for in-person learning. The plan was then approved by the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Department of Health. Over 30 people helped put the original plan together, including board administrators, teachers, and community members, according to Barringer.

“The revised Smart Start Plan will include many of the same safety protocols followed this past school year, including: handwashing, social distancing when possible, thorough cleaning of facilities, and remaining home when there are signs of any infectious illness,” a press release explained.

Although masks aren’t required under the updated plan, it includes guidelines that specify that mask wearing may be implemented again if there is an increase in positive COVID-19 cases within the district.

According to the updated plan, if a specific school in the district reaches a 15% positivity rate among staff and students for COVID-19, that school will be required to reinstate a mask mandate until they return to a lower positivity rate. If a school reaches a 30% positivity rate it will be closed to in person learning and instruction will be provided remotely until the positivity rate among the students and staff drops to a level where they can continue with a mask mandate or without masks once they are below a 15% positivity rate.

Barringer said the changes to this year’s Smart Start Plan were made by the district’s administration working together and all decisions have to be approved by the school board. Barringer also noted that the changes were discussed with other school districts across the state, and nearly all of Wyoming’s schools are choosing to make masks optional. The changes to the plan were carefully discussed with multiple people and information from multiple sources was considered, according to Barringer. He also noted that he hopes the plan will be able to answer people’s concerns, and he values input.

“We just want to get it right,” Barringer said.

While the plan has been approved, it is designed to be flexible and is subject to change as needed. The Smart Start plan states: “The District Leadership team will continue to meet regularly to evaluate the plan and to make adjustments as needed. This team will be comprised of Central Office staff, building principals, and Sweetwater School District #2 School Board representative.”

“Last year we talked about where we were at every week, and we will do the same this year,” Barringer said.

Despite the possibility for change, Barringer expressed his confidence that the current plan is a safe one.

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 has also kept to the decision to make masks optional. In a statement released August 11, the district outlined this year’s COVID-19 protocols, which include encouraging those who are sick to stay home, disinfecting high contact areas and using ionizers and ultraviolet lighting in schools.

“As we look forward to the upcoming school year, we want our students, parents, and staff to know that safety and wellness will remain our top priority,” the district said in the statement. “We will continue our efforts to monitor the community and school transmission of COVID related illnesses throughout the school year, and work to ensure that all district stakeholders are safe while promoting protocols that aim to limit potential exposure.”

Western Wyoming Community College announced on August 11 that the fall semester will have a normal opening, but the college “will continue to follow local, state, and national health directives regarding COVID-19.” The school’s COVID-19 Task Force will meet regularly, and procedures may change if there is an influx of cases on campus.

Local health leaders expressed concerns about the rise in COVID-19 cases the new school year could bring. During the monthly COVID-19 update Zoom meeting held for local officials, County Health Officer Dr. Jean Stachon noted the schools’ decision to go unmasked.

“I guess we’ll just see what happens,” Stachon said. She added that she will be surprised if there isn’t an increase in cases that affects the way schools operate this year.

Public Health Director Kim Lionberger noted that kids in school tend to spread germs, and with the Delta variant of COVID-19 being more easily spread, she also believes our county could see an increase in new COVID-19 cases following the start of school.

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 starts classes on August 17, Sweetwater County School District No. 2 starts classes on August 18, and Western Wyoming Community College starts classes on August 23.