CCPS leaving mask mandate in place

A spokesman said the district wants to prevent a spike in quarantine absenteeism. The district will review the policy over fall break in early October.

Christian County Public Schools will continue to require that staff, students and visitors wear masks inside school buildings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district announced Monday. 

“In an effort to limit quarantine absenteeism … this policy will remain in effect for the time being. It will be revisited and reassessed before we return to school from fall break on Oct. 11,” district spokesman John Rittenhouse said in a news release. 

On Thursday, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation that bans a statewide mask mandate for schools, which the Kentucky Board of Education had implemented. Republicans in the legislature said they wanted to leave the decision about masks to local school districts. Democrats who opposed the statewide ban predicted many districts would stop requiring masks, making the spread of COVID-19 more serious in the coming weeks. 

Rittenhouse said local officials are concerned that the absence of face coverings could increase the number of students who have to quarantine and miss in-person classes. 

In the weeks leading up to the start of the school year in early August, the local district initially said masks would be voluntary. But on Aug. 2, officials said masks would be required for teachers and staff members. Then, as COVID-19 cases increased, the school board voted on Aug. 5 at the recommendation of Superintendent Chris Bentzel to require masks for everyone — students, staff and visitors — in all district buildings and on school buses. 

Mask requirements have become politically charged issues in schools across the country. But research shows that masks slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.