Springfield Local Schools is requiring masks for all students, staff and visitors to district facilities and classrooms effective August 30, Superintendent Matt Geha announced.
The mask requirement is regardless of vaccination status and applies to all indoor activities on school property before, during and after school.
Required masking will be in effect for a minimum of 30 days and will be reviewed on an on-going basis.
District officials originally made masks optional to start the school year, basing their decision on a lessening of the pandemic in late July.
“We were optimistic and excited about beginning the school year with all students in session five days a week. However, during our second week of school, the coronavirus impacted the district greatly producing positive cases, necessitated quarantining of staff and students and canceling events such as the August 27 high school football game in Tiffin,” Mr. Geha said.
The district’s data on positive COVID-19 cases was greater for the week of August 23 than it was for the week of October 1, 2020. Weekly COVID positive case reports can be viewed at springfield-schools.org/home/health-services.
Mr. Geha believes that moving to masks required will protect from the spread of the virus and limit the likelihood of being quarantined.
“The goal is to remain educating all students in person and five days a week,” he said, adding, “The mask requirement will allow us to keep students in school, engaged and doing the things they love with friends, teachers, coaches and other positive influences at SLS.”
All students, staff and guests must follow this requirement and adhere to board policy.
“We appreciate parents and guardians working with their children to prepare masking,” the superintendent said, noting that a mask will be provided to anyone entering a district facility without a facial covering.
The mask mandate on the bus remains in place.
